How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins 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 cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the automatic floor vacuum. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other Robot Vac vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option 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 up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for 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 months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum deals black friday combination models however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. 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 deals that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning robots for home sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.