How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to automated cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model 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 tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and 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 identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

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 capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and robot vacuum cleaner best screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely 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 fantastic option. It comes with a large 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 vacuum robot. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot Vacuum cleaner best vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot 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 intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. They are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.