How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (visit the following page)

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced automatic cleaning robot options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum cleaner black friday vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart robot vacuums-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best vacuums choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart vacuum cleaner navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.