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 cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot floor cleaner 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 to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best robot vacuums option. It is possible to swap out the 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 spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best robot vacuum deals value among our top picks.

best smart vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in 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 areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor best Robot vacuum and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional 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, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.