How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (browse around this site)

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner cheap vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in 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 using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot broom vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

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 many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot cleaner commercial to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.