How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum cleaner quiet vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

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

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as 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 able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best auto vacuum choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum ebay vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate 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 high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable robot vacuum price of our top picks.

best auto vacuum for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.