10 Places 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 best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best affordable robot vacuum Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaners vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot automated vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. 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 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into 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 amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best robot vacuum option for hardwood floors since they can easily 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 other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly 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 features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like 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 over to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times 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 bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.