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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of cleaning robots up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot vacuum cleaner on sale with extra features, consider one that comes with smart robot vacuums mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with 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 spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto vacuum cleaner-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. 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 certain areas. 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 empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're 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 tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the self-cleaning robot vacuums (Keep Reading) to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.