How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for 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 best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with 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 they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor cleaning machine maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need 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.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

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

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't 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 stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful 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.