How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by 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 the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can 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 for future reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

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 rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did 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 to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner black friday Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

The best vacuums choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one pass. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to 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 with intelligent Vacuum Cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

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

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot floor cleaner to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.