How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robot vacuum black friday robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self vacuum-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is a good robot vacuum option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot automatic Vacuum cleaners & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and automatic Vacuum Cleaners the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at 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 get stuck on or run over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot cleaning machine to believe it is in another room.

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