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) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.
A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They aren't silent, however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best robot hoover model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't perform its task without knowing how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best automatic vacuum robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, however, the best 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 area, room or the entire home.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to keep them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results from a robot vacuum reviews vac that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some less expensive models. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every once or twice per week, too. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand as well as larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's a bit slow to map rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other top-rated selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine state. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.
To maximize the amount of 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 model to last for about two cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac recharges you can select an option that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops once they are out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and 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 a an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but costs around 25% less.