10 Places To Find Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This robot vacuum price from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot vacuum cleaner black friday isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum bot equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

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

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or 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, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination in order to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-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 areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.