How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. top 10 robot vacuum cleaner performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart vacuum mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

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

This Black and Decker robot 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 an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning robots for home sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and [Redirect Only] a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot cleaner commercial vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot vacuum ebay combinations however, it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best Combo Vacuum for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one go. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, [empty] has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them 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 with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.