How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart robot mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and 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 to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best robot vacuum black friday for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner best buy mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. 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 washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.