How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular automatic cleaning robot. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power 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 best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, robotic vacuums you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model 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 heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a 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. 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 cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that 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 aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.