Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums are great at picking up pet hair, dust and other messes from carpet and hard floors. They leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.

Many models can be controlled by apps for smartphones, however others require the use of a physical remote to operate. Some models come with advanced features such as LiDAR navigation or floor maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that allow them to avoid obstacles such as cords, walls, and furniture. They also have technology for object-avoidance to recognize toys, pet food and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will save you time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck in the couch or behind the bed, which allows it to complete its assigned room cleaning more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create a map. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also detect changes in your living space, such as the moment you move a piece of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has but it can make a huge difference in the performance and convenience the new gadget.

A majority of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them around your home. They are useful in many situations, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as lamp cords or shoes. The cheaper robots also lack the capability to learn from an obstacle that was missed and you may have to create digital keep-out zones within your home to keep out certain objects.

Even the most powerful robot vacuums will get stuck on larger objects such as large dog poop spills or chair legs. The robot vacuum will not be able lift massive objects and may be forced to push them around or over the edges of the room. This could leave ugly flooring with sludge. If you have a dog or cat, you might have to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots permit you to create a virtual barrier in the application.

The latest robotic vacuums mentioned below use object detection to see what is in the front of them even in low-light conditions. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

If you suffer from allergies or do not have the time to manually empty a robot Vacuum Bot's trash bin after every automated cleaning session self-emptying bins are an option to look for. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days of dust. They need to be cleaned less often than the dustbin of the robot.

This feature is available on several top-highest rated robot vacuum robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately, except if it's with the robot vacuum.

Self-emptying bases not only save your time, but also save you money on dust bags. It also keeps your home spotless. Certain bases have separate filters that can be used to remove allergens. These may need to cleaned regularly, based on the brand. To maintain optimal performance you should make use of the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.

The suction power of a robot is another factor to consider. There is no standard power scale utilized by all companies, however some provide Pascal (Pa) which gives you a sense of the performance of the device. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

A good robot should also come with features that are easy to use, as well as an instruction manual that is simple to follow. A well-written guide will help you learn about the basics and troubleshoot problems as they arise. This is vital because these machines aren't cheap. You should look for a thorough manual that explains how to set up as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. You should be able, when using an application on mobile, to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up by rooms, zones or even individual flooring surfaces. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot with a voice. A number of popular brands allow you to design your own cleaning schedule and set virtual no-go areas. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and come back to it at any point. If you forget to finish the task, the robot will pick up where it began.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums do not have the same power as full-sized corded upright and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums are able to last for a long time on a single charge of batteries. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning once they have reached their base, without you having to accompany them there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90-100 minutes is the ideal time for most households, and will allow you to clean an entire home in one go.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be emptied after every few cleanings. This can be a challenging task, especially if have a large residence or a lot of pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum can save you from a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin and blow dry and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for its next vacuuming session.

The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that need a little extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don't have the amount of suction as traditional vacuums have and tend to struggle with liquid spills.

If you're looking for a machine that can mop and vacuum, think about an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top robot vacuum options are both top-quality and provide an excellent value. Both come with a high degree of suction, and both have a large self-emptying station. They do not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, though, so they may not be able to take on your entire home on a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The cheapest model doesn't come with a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it has a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floor. The 11S can't vacuum stairs or furniture however it's an excellent option for keeping your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they require some daily maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. For instance, select one that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number instances you need to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning sessions. This feature is particularly useful when your pet sheds a lot, or if it's a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.

Many of our top picks come with additional features that help reduce automated cleaning time. These include rotating brushes and suction. Think about a multisurface cleaner which has a removable mopping mat that is easy to attach and stays in place as well as a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to detect dirt spots in your home to clean them thoroughly.

Some models allow you to set a schedule for cleaning, designate the rooms to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can understand the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay more for these premium features.

There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things, the more features you'd like the more expensive but there are reliable options for every price range.

Whether you just need a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washboard while you're away, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech which allows it to move around toys and furniture and not become stuck. It's got wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.

For more tips on choosing the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic mops, as well as our buying guide for the best robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery will arrive on time.