The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot mop vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult 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 supports precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every flooring type test we conducted.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your requirements. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cleaners best vacuum can't perform its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and are more likely to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Consider features such as sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas bigger ones will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic hoovers cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on smaller models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're getting clogged, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums will take tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, in addition to 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.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around 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 an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you want a cheaper alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other top-rated selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you get moving with your day while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge, you can choose one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its an almost perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a small home with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but it costs 25% less.