How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features 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 don't fall when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-Highest Rated robot vacuum models this Black and Decker robot 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 a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning robots like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpeowerful than some other robot vacuum bot/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. Choose models that have 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 composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and Highest Rated Robot Vacuum then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

best automatic vacuum cleaner for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.