How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities 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 times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot automated vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

robot vacuum cleaner best; abbe.com, vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best rated robot vacuum option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Look for 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-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.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.