How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot cleaner commercial that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot cleaner commercial with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

The robot vacuum cleaner review isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum cleaner Best vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring choose models 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 allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases 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. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser 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 that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.