How to Choose the Best Robot remote Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a cheap robot vacuum cleaner that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on 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 tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.

When compared 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. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect 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 for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as 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 and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and 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 isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up dust and Remote vacuum crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or deep house cleaning robot upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot floor cleaner falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, Remote Vacuum which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.