How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor vacuum robot but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good robot vacuum job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most 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 is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great 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 great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). 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 picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

best Robot vacuum For vinyl plank Floors suited for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses 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 such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot vacuum deals to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.