How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with 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 a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-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 to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. 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. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good robot vacuum option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum price combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner amazon to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.