Vacuums have come a long way. You no longer have to suffer the indignity of dragging around an unwieldy plastic hose connected to a clumsy, wheeled canister the size of a Galapagos tortoise. In fact, you don't even need to get off of the couch. Though it still feels like a relatively new product category, there are several good robot vacuums available to help you dispose of dust, pet hair, and other debris in your home—without needing to lift a finger. Which is the right one for you? We've rounded up our highest-rated robot vacuums, and provided a few pointers to help you find just the 'bot you're looking for.Unlike more traditional canister or stick models like the Hoover Air Cordless, robot vacuums are autonomous and (for the most part) intelligent. The vacuums we've tested are equipped with lasers, motherboards, sensors, and even Wi-Fi to navigate around your home without the need for assistance. With a few exceptions, you barely have to interact with them at all. Most robot vacuums come with charging docks;

some, like the Roomba 980, can even charge themselves. Just pick a robot-accessible spot for the dock, and the 'bot will return on its own before it runs out of juice. When it does, it will sit there until it has enough energy to go back out and continue to bust dust from where it left off. You can also set schedules for most 'bots to wake up and start a cleaning job, so it can take place while you're out of the house. That means you can potentially avoid all physical interaction until the vacuum needs to be emptied—you still can't take that step out of the equation. Also unlike many traditional vacuums, all of the robots included here don't use bags to hold the dust, hair, and other debris they suck up. Instead, they use an easy-to-remove dust bin you can simply eject and empty into the nearest garbage can. And many come equipped with HEPA filters that prevent allergens from spreading through the air. Also worth noting: Floor-cleaning robots like the iRobot Braava 380t and the iRobot Scooba 450specialize in mopping and sweeping.

They aren't eligible for this list because they don't vacuum up dirt and debris, but they will get your hardwood floors nice and shiny. The Moneual Rydis H68 is the only vacuum on this list that offers wet mop cleaning as well. Convenience vs. CostA robot vacuum is usually higher in price than a traditional vacuum (though not always; the Dyson Cinetic Animal + Allergy costs a whopping $700). The models listed here range from $250 to $900. That's a pretty sizable investment, even on the lower end. Let's consider just what you get for the price. Unless you really love to vacuum, the task itself is pretty mundane. Depending on the size of your house, a robot vacuum can save you anywhere from minutes to hours of your time every week by taking care of a pretty thankless chore. That alone is reason enough for some people to consider one. In addition, robot vacuums have reached the point where they're basically just as effective and powerful as regular vacuums. The robots rounded up here use filters, side brushes, and spinning brushes that will do an equally good job of cleaning your home as their upright equivalents.

They're also fairly compact, so they won't take up much space in your storage closet. And they're able to travel underneath most couches and tables, so you won't have to rearrange furniture. Even if you do, the more advanced robots on this list use memory banks to note where furniture is placed, so as not to bump into anything on a future pass. Also worth mentioning: The latest vacuums, like the Neato BotVac Connected and the aformentioned Roomba 980, can connect to your home Wi-Fi network so you can control them with your smartphone, even when you're not home. best handheld vacuum cleaners for stairsConvenience like this is pricey, but it definitely has its perks.best leather cleaner for jacket For more shopping advice, including robot and traditional models, be sure to read our buying guide. hp laptop clean fan youtube

To see our most recent reviews, check out our Vacuum product page.Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum Cleaner Set your store to see localavailability Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Ball Compact Allergy Upright Vacuum with Bonus Accessories Ball Animal Upright Vacuum Navigator Lift-Away Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Cinetic Big Ball Animal Closeout Upright Vacuum Cinetic Big Ball Animal+Allergy Upright Vacuum Pro Power XL Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleanerhandheld vacuum cleaner top 10 WindTunnel 2 High Capacity Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner in Blackbest duct cleaning machine WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaneraverage cost of home air duct cleaning

WindTunnel 2 Pet Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner in Orange Navigator Professional Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner WindTunnel 3 High Performance Pet Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Rotator Powered Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum Cleaner Direct Power Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Air Cordless Series 3.0 20-Volt Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner Navigator Freestyle Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner 5 Amp Dirt Cup Commercial Vacuum WindTunnel T-Series Pet Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner Dyson Ball Total Clean Upright Vacuum with Bonus Accessories Commercial Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner Commercial Guardsman Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner Magnesium SP Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner Set your store to see localavailabilityWhether you prefer upright, cordless, or canister, Real Simple hit the floors and found the meanest machines for tackling dirt. Appliance RepairComputer & Tablet SetupTV/Home Theater SetupWiFi/Networking SetupCar/GPS SetupTechnology ConsultationChat with an AgentSchedule a serviceTrack your repairDetermine the value of your Trade-InFor eligibility and details, please see our FAQsLocal PromotionsGreat deals happening nowShop the DealsSLOW COMPUTER?