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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep 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 Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You’ll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you’re looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don’t fall when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn’t as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don’t pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don’t have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you’re looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it’s still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren’t. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor’s texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can’t go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don’t have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they’re more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren’t able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you’ll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a Robot vacuum Cleaner Best snag.

However, the latest sensors haven’t resolved all of these machines’ problems. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It’s essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it’s in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don’t wish the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren’t present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.