How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with 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 app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums robot. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. 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 found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other Robot vacuum cleaner Best vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 affordable robot vacuum Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic vacuum cleaners emptying on bare floors and carpets. 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 mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining 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's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.