The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Other powerful robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter, making them the ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your needs. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more details about the most recent models. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job well when it doesn't know how to get around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used 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 many debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a zones, rooms or even the all of the home.
Think about features like floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have an on-screen remote that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you want to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Clean it and attach it again when you are ready to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once Also. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than the majority of manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 95%. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy selections.
5. robot vacuum cleaners best let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.
To maximize the time you get from your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to expect a model to last for around two cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can opt for one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.