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 best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot vacuum cleaner quiet equipped with 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic Vacuum cleaner Amazon vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top rated robot vacuum models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp 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 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner comparison mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning robots sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically 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 fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.