How to Choose the best auto vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of 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. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean 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 in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts 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 and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

best robot vacuums for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up 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 an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor washing robot's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft 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 is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot vacuum Cleaner best falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top 5 robot vacuum overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.