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 do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

best self cleaning vacuum Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves 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 navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum bot/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 they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and 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 comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic 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. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.