How to Choose the best automatic vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, Automatic floor cleaners real time hazards 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 want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. 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 discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in ls and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

best robot vacuum for the money for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the Automatic Floor Cleaners (Securityholes.Science)'s surface. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best robot vacuum under 200 overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.