How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top 5 robot vacuum models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application 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 recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen 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 with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with 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 fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums robot and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot remote vacuum Cleaner/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor washing robot texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the affordable robot vacuum to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.