How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop 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 simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into 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 emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum cleaner sale Vacuum Cleaner Quiet (47.101.207.123) vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move 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 uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning robots session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The 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 need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.