How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Self-Cleaning Robot Vacuums vacuums robot can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect 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 vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters 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 vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for Self-Cleaning Robot Vacuums keeping the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a automatic vacuum cleaners with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the buy robot vacuum cleaner falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors 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 believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.