The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots in 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 comes with docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for most homes. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that keep them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
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 clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for a long period of time. Some premium robots, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and 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 have a dedicated remote control that allows you to 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.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs let you define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robot vacuums cheap with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once as well. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal and 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 more than 95 95%. The two top performers 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 and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect in good condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for an option that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25 percent less.