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 ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart robot mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four automatic floor cleaning machine maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. 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 buy robot vacuum choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out 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 simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the automatic floor cleaning machine. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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 also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent Vacuum Cleaner mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose one 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart robot vacuums navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. 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 struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need 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 started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.