How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill 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 the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to 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 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 also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside 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, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at 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 may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. 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 avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it 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 cheap robot vacuum cleaner mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.