How to Choose the best robot hoover Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt 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 between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and 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 keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the automatic floor cleaners's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and 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 disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.