How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with 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 features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning robots for home options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot sweeper vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top rated robot vacuum choices.

best vacuums for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.