How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner, view publisher site,

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power 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, real-time safety features, and large self vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want 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 a model that has 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 many robotic hoovers vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this automatic hoover robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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 liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, 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, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

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 use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.