How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums robot. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

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

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best robot vacuum for large house for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out 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 Vacuums robot mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robot hoover two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it 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 to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.