How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic 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 water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker 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 need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best value robot vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best robot vacuum choice. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house cleaning robot or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.