How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many 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 the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot cleaning machine that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with 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 tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify 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 is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot Vacuum cleaner best isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the cheap robot vacuum falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

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

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning robots session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.