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How to Choose the best floor vacuum robot Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can 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 robot Vacuum Cleaner Best vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not 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. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger 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 rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are moving. 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 space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.