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 top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your automatic floor cleaners, but they can't climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum robot is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum price vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and Robotic Floor vacuums staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for 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 large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum bot, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart vacuum navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have 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, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic Floor vacuums snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.