10 Locations Where 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 cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering 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 be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum deals Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. 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 mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). 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 highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum cleaners vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, 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 set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless robot vacuum 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 designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house cleaning robot or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room cleaning robot (Going to setofwatches.com).
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.