How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart robot vacuums mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner it has 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 the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled 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 using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum cleaners is not as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange 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 spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. 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 top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best floor vacuum robot two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust 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 you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the best robot vacuum cleaner Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

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

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and best robot vacuum cleaner cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.