The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. affordable robot vacuum can also mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin which they empty themselves and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to help them navigate your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a great job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
Other powerful robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping feature, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're just the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model to meet your needs. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the latest models. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application, and superb mapping capabilities.
Take into consideration features such as sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one will cost less to replace. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have an on-screen remote that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for a model that can do dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while keeping your floors in tip-top clean. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even clean while you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge, you can choose a model that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robovac with a variety of features in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.