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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords. The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins. Best Overall The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps. In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles. In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, 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 resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options. While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system. The best option for Carpet If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards. For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds. The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size. If you're looking for a 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 months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks. The best choice for hardwood floors Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning. The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. Robot Vacuum Mops for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting. If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood. The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused. Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models. Best suited for small Spaces These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session. A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident. However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones 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 when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room. A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.