How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient 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 model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more 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 like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum hoover vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

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 tidy your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever 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 isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot floor cleaner vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones 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 disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums robot underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate 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 robot snag.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for Best robot vacuum areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.