How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled 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 as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most 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 instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot Vac vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

best smart vacuum suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.