How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle 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, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those with self vacuum near me-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

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 a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best robot vacuum for the money for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually 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 their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.