How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. top rated robot vacuum performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best smart vacuum Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one pass. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.