How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider 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 tried numerous robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this cheap robot vacuum can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Auto Vacuum Cleaner Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a intelligent vacuum cleaner that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have mixed flooring you should look for auto vacuum Cleaner models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an Auto Vacuum Cleaner-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.