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 touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a affordable robot vacuum with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more 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 like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart robot-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the automatic floor cleaning machine's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. 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 flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is controlled by 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 plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner reviews snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.