How to Choose the best robot vacuum under 200 Robot Vacuum bot cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.

This robot vacuum deals from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner Cheap works. The app includes a 3D view 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 such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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 mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart 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 wild). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft 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 features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum hoover to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.