The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris in every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people with hearing issues. They aren't silent, however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your requirements. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the most current models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: 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. robot vacuum cleaner are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use 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 required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will cost less to replace. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last for a long period of time. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs let you define no-go zones and rooms to clean those areas which need it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results when your vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some less expensive models. It's recommended to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If robotic hoovers notice they are getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles like baking soda and sand and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated 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 remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you get moving with your day while keeping your floors clean and spick and clean. You'll still have to manually clean your home on a regular basis but robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.
Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for a model that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're running low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but costs around 25 percent less.