How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

best inexpensive robot vacuum Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self vacuum-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best Roborock vacuum robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best home vacuum cleaner overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot vacuum price to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.