How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self vacuum [Get the facts]-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good 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 a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-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 floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning like 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 downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small 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 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and Self vacuum up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, Self Vacuum and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

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