The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds 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 that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we test.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires a lot of power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the latest models. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well without knowing how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling off stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by zone, room or whole home.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaner and mop cleaners utilize a small disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.
If you want to make use of your robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some smaller models. It's recommended to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up it could be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also deliver better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that can perform maintenance by themselves and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you want a cheaper option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the cost is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while keeping your floors looking spick and clean. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last about two cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac recharges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you want a robovac that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score. It's not cheap and unless you have a small house with no pets, it might be too expensive for certain. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25 percent less.