How to Choose the Best Robot vacuum Cleaner best Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

best value robot vacuum Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this cheap robot vacuum 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 heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier 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 certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

best affordable robot vacuum suited for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot vacuum cleaner price move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.