How to Choose the best cheap robot vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best home vacuum cleaner models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuum cleaners vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This 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 references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option 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 up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and top 10 Robot Vacuum Cleaner a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top 10 robot vacuum cleaner-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

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