How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner best (click over here) Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart vacuum mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot broom from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot 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 larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner on sale to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.