How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum bot cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

best robot vacuum under 200 Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart vacuum cleaner mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best smart vacuum option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime 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 Cleaning Vacuum Cleaner-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.