20 Things Only The Most Devoted Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Fans Know
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses 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 numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. best affordable robot vacuum recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you want 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 having to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you 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 much easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. 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 you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.