How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart robot vacuums mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor vacuum maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum cleaner review is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to 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 good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent 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 months without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and Automatic Floor Cleaners emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has 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 latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.