How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vac vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and 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. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

Compared 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 has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much 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, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding 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 while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you want a more 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 empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount 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 new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot cleaner go, which can be useful if you have pets or the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.