How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot Remote Vacuum Cleaner (Telegra.Ph) can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart 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 many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-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 can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room cleaning robot labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime 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 has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner sale accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.