How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good robot vacuum at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those with self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and robot Vacuum cleaner Industrial return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't 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 stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had 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 resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.