The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Highly recommended Site , coupled with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on all floors we tested.
In the lower price range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model for your needs. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well if it doesn't know how to get around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to prevent them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger dust bins of 3L that last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs let you define no-go zones and rooms to clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated with 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 remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while they keep your floors looking spick and clean. You'll still have to manually clean your home every so often, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10, the best model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have a small house with no pets, it may be too costly for certain. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25 percent less.