The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.
Other powerful robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. robotic hoovers and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.
For the best mix of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the most power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate 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.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by zone, room or entire home.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every week or once Also. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase 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 fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need 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 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 the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you move to work while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still need to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging, you can also select a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.