How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum cleaner sale vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

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

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It 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 a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. 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 vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 amazon robot vacuum Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

best robot vacuum deals for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one 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 a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

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

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.