How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets 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 is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best auto vacuum option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic hoover robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good robot vacuum at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot Vacuum cleaner best vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and automated vacuum cleaner to complete the job in one step. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to 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 to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac is operated by 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 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 puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually 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 navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner sale snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit 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.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near 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 could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.