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. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, 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 it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room cleaning robot labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle 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-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated cleaning vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers needed 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 cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot vacuum deals black friday to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.