The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we test.
In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent, but they're only as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the most recent models. Many customers report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective 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 a zones, rooms or even the entire house.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while larger ones can save money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins 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 best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have an on-screen remote that lets you start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you want to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot hoover and mop vacuums can collect small particles such as sand and baking soda, in addition to larger ones like metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95%. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can clean carpet and remove the 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 more affordable alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums that mop vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in top condition. You'll still have to manually clean your home every so often, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops once they are out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.