How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of 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 still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced house cleaning robot options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a automatic vacuum cleaners cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good 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. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart vacuum cleaner-mapping system and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Top 10 can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot vacuum cleaner top 10 combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner comparison vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

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 enter. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.