The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. robotvacuummops for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most current models. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't perform its task without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for decades. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some less expensive models. It's recommended to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every week or once Also. If you notice they are starting to clog up, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Choose a robovac that has long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac charges you could select one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash mops when they're running low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.