The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives however, robot vacuums make it easier. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin which they empty themselves and some are operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a powerful docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined 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 sufficient for most homes. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only about the same as normal conversations at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the most recent models. Read the Full Guide have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job if it does not know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean by zone, room or whole home.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Find robots that have the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week Also. If you notice that they're getting clogged, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, in addition to larger ones like metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score higher than 95 percent. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the only robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in top in good condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and unless you have a small house with no pets, it might be too costly for certain. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.