The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence However, robot vacuums make it easier. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
With 8,000Pa of suction power, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them a better option for those with hearing issues. These units are not silent but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuums best vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best robots use sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, but the best rated robot vacuum was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the all of the home.
Think about features like sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one can save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger dustbin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with a rubber roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog up, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot mop vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also deliver better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95 percent. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own and apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you go to work while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with a long-lasting battery to get the most of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for around two complete cleaning sessions if you run it on the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also choose one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're empty.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25 percent less.