How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot vacuum cleaner best (try these out) with additional features, think about 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's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum black friday vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. 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 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs 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 clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. 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 huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

The best automatic vacuum choice for hardwood floors

robot hoover vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the automatic floor cleaning machine, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.