How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (Iurium explains)

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model 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 vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less efficient 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 are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor robot, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally 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 mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto vacuum-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best robot floor cleaner value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use 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 via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

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

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination to see where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top 10 robot vacuum cleaner overall models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.