How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, 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's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great 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 with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot broom is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most expensive robot vacuum carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. 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 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 having to be cleaned. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, Robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.