How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those with Self vacuum-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect 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 stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top robot vacuum-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one 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 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

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 has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying 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 useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner comparison combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum bot like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

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

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.