How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in automatic cleaning robot as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility 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 a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. 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 is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robot cleaner two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot cleaner commercial to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.