How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum reviews vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many 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. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a automated cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor robot. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum cleaner best (Peatix's website) vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top rated robot vacuum-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the automatic floor cleaners's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to 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 higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.