10 Places That You Can Find Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning robot price process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
best robot vacuum for tile floors for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.