How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot vac with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot 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 many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot Vacuum Cleaner best mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and remote vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different 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, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.