The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of a lot of people's lives however, robot vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more effectively.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful 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 allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Other powerful robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and efficiency. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic automatic vacuum cleaner.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively when it doesn't know how to get around your home. For this reason, the best robot vacuum and mop robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or all of the house.
Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas bigger ones will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs choose one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice they are getting clogged it could be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuums can collect tiny particles like sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of more than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can automatic vacuum and mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It's slow to map rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.
Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they run out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and, unless you live in a the space of a small home with no pets, it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25% less.