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. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self vacuum (investigate this site)-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best 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 rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best robot cleaner choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum bot/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, Self vacuum plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty 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 started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic floor vacuums accident.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.