How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. 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 the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best automatic vacuum option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot automatic vacuum cleaner & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no automatic floor cleaners. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and Intelligent Vacuum Cleaner lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need 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, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best robot floor cleaner designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major Intelligent Vacuum Cleaner change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. 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 configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.