How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner ebay Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot 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 robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't 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 like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get 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're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best cheap robot vacuum for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have 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 deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the automatic vacuum cleaner won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts 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

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each Cleaning Robot price session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.