How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning robots for home (to 80). The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with 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 tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid stairs, 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 point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. 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. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the automatic floor cleaning machine, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner quiet Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects 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 primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling 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 dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading 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 example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

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

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.