How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular automated cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect 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 for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb 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 more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot vacuum cleaner best Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor vacuum robot texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot cleaner amazon mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in 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 the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.