How to Choose the best self cleaning robot vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top robot vacuum-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot automatic vacuum cleaners & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

best self cleaning robot vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart robot navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot cleaning machine vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.