The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on all floors we test.
In the lower price range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for most homes. They are also quieter, which makes them the ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're not silent but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. robot vacuum cleaner report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best robots use advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and can miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application, and superb mapping capabilities.
Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a 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 to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are created according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than most manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you want a cheaper alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you move to work while keeping your floors looking spick and clean. You'll still have to manually clean your home every so often however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you get from your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two full cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging you, you can select an automatic model that makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.