How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robot floor cleaner robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self cleaning Vacuum cleaner-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify 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 to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go up and over 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 high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister automated vacuum cleaner, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove 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, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaners snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles 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 a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.