10 Locations Where You Can Find Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. 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 best vacuum cleaner price (click hyperlink) works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.