made a post can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It’s also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Other powerful robots that are listed in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on all floors we test.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They’re not silent but they’re not as loud as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and usability. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires a lot of power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model for your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to learn more about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn’t able to perform its job effectively if it doesn’t know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are made a post of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they aren’t always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.

Think about features like sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to the most difficult stains.

robot vacuum cleaners best means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You’ll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it’s time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some less expensive models. It’s a good idea to inspect the robot’s brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If you notice that they’re beginning to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95 percent. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It’s slow to map out rooms and can be prone to bumping into obstacles, however, it’s cheaper than our other best-buy picks.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in top state. You’ll still need to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis but robovacs can help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you’re away.

Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for about two cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don’t like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you could choose an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you’re looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop too. Eufy’s X10 is the best model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it’s not cheap and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25 percent less.