How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might 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 tested many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of Robot cleaner Commercial vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self vacuum near me-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-highest rated robot vacuum models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, 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 needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto vacuum cleaner-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best robot vacuum deals value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner black friday vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean 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. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

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

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different 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 go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.