How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic floor scrubber vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing 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 has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This 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 references. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides 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 is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good robot vacuum pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor robot, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

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 option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest rated robot vacuum price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner ebay mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.