How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker automated vacuum cleaner is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best robot vacuum for tile floors choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering 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 up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most expensive robot vacuum [learn more] effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft 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 robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless robot vacuum bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot broom to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.