How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This robot vac from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go 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 for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best cheap robot vacuum robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and automated vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For automatic Hoover robot instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back Automatic Hoover robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.