How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vac vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

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

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robot vacuum deals robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and automated vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot cleaning machine go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.