How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top 10 robot vacuum cleaner models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot vacuum cleaner review capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like ones that have self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able 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 that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot Vacuum cleaner best isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 budget robot vacuum vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. 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 spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and robot vacuum cleaner best avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

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 charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister automatic vacuum cleaner, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For Robot vacuum cleaner best instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.