How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 budget robot vacuum vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, 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 bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.