How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum bot will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room cleaning robot labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Industrial vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises 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 each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from 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 when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

robot vacuum black friday vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard 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 has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.