How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can’t climb the 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 need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you’re looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot 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 tripped up when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since 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 which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn’t as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren’t able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don’t have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you’re away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum &amp