How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most expensive robot vacuum convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

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

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

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can 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 lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner for sale vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech automatic vacuum cleaners (talks about it) Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 amazon robot vacuum Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive 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 only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for automatic vacuum Cleaners example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues 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 are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top 10 robot vacuum cleaner-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.