How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they 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 efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot cleaner capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates 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 several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor robot vacuum cleaner maps for future references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This cheap robot vacuum cleaner is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best inexpensive robot vacuum option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum deals that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over 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 in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than 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, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to only use 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 could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.