How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have 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 can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor washing robot plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot cleaner isn't as efficient in 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. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

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, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto Vacuum cleaner-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.