How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best vacuums models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets 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 roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best, Click4R.Com, with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker 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 comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot 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 is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist 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 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto vacuum-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

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, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top 10 robot vacuum cleaner overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.