How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to put some effort into your robot's home maintenance. This involves cleaning up clutter, tangled rugs and loose cords.
Pick a model that comes with an auto-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills and dirt. You might want to consider an all-in-one vacuum and mop.
Features
Based on your needs for your home depending on your home's needs, you can select the best robot cleaner with smart features. Some models are built to map your home and create floor plans, while others have an integrated camera that can provide live footage of your space. These cameras can be used to identify obstacles and assist in problem solving. Some robots even have the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and adjust the frequency.
If you want a robot that can both mop and vacuum, search for one with a self-emptying dustbin. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is among the best options we've tested because it offers both features at an affordable price. It has a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This helps it get rid of debris faster than other robots. It is equipped with side brushes that have 3 bristles that push dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is among the top in its class for many reasons, including its high-quality navigation, mopping capability and its low cost.
The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins, that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an excellent example of a high-end robot vacuum cleaner best buy with a self-emptying dustbin and clever features that allow for a hands-free experience. It has a small mopping pad which scrubs dirt off and is able to glide over light mats and rugs that cause problems for other robots. Its sensors can help it locate dirtier areas, and it can also mop and vacuum simultaneously.
Eufy Clean X10, with its user-friendly app is a great alternative. The options for customization are quick and easy to set up. Its lidar mapping is fast and accurate. It also divides rooms easily for a thorough cleaning. It has a great device for avoiding objects that can eat Cheerios and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it experienced some trouble with stairs. The square-front design of the robot helped it to get into corners better than most other robots we've tested. It's also capable to edge-hugging, helping it sweep along baseboards effortlessly.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as effective as vacuums at cleaning deep into carpets and sweeping up dirt that has been buried. However, they can collect small particles such as baking soda and dust and heavier debris such as screws made of metal and pet fur. They can also sweep up spills and crumbs. Maintaining your robot with regular maintenance, such as emptying the dustbin cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure that it will last for the longest time possible.
The top robots do a great job of picking up small particles from carpets with low piles and hard floors and are particularly adept in sweeping up orzo pasta, sand, and wood shavings. They can also take cat litter and metal screws however they often struggle with slower items like baked flour or coffee grounds. They're not as impressive when climbing stairs, and they don't always grab everything on the edges.
Some models are also fantastic in mopping. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance, is a model that does an excellent job of cleaning hardwood flooring. It can remove coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food mess. The robot's spot and area cleaning options allow you to create the area it is to focus on. This way, the robot won't spend its time cleaning areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that is capable of mopping. It has a distinct advantage over the Roborock one: the option to first vacuum and then mop makes it better at cleaning up spills on high pile carpets.
Another top-highest rated robot vacuum mopping robot is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than Roomba but has a superior suction. It also has the ability to handle a wider range of floor types and textures. It's smart enough to return to the charging dock when it's running low on water and resume cleaning from where it began. The app also has a variety of features, including the ability to schedule recurring cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet, making it a perfect option for homes with pets or children.
Cost
The best robot cleaners perform well at a low cost, and many offer clever features that can help you save money over the long term. You'll want to consider the cost of a vacuum and a mop to get the most bang for your buck. Some models have features you might not need but will be useful. For instance the self-emptying trash bin or navigation that is efficient.
Investing in a model that can do both mops and vacuums is the most economical option. It is essential to remember that a robot cleaner can only be as effective as the dirt they pick up.
A robot that costs $500 capable of vacuuming and mopping is reasonable. An example would be the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored highly in CR's testing and can clean floors and carpets. It comes with a user-friendly app which allows you to view its cleaning route and set no-go areas. Jaclyn found that the mopping function could be improved as it is based on light pressure and a dragging movement rather than scrubbing.
If you're on the budget, you can find a great deal for a robot vacuum that is highly rated and can only do one thing, such as the Eufy 11S. Its sleek, quiet design excelled in cleaning hardwood floors, tiles and carpets with low pile. It was also very effective at picking up pet hair and litter.
Some robots that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation systems that don't provide a coverage map, and are more likely to become stuck on furniture or miss spots. Although these robots can clean your floors but they're not as efficient and are less capable of navigating around household obstacles.
Another alternative is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which received high marks for its cleaning performance and price-to-value ratio. It's not as sophisticated as the Combo J9+, but is easy to use and performs well on carpets and bare floors. It's also fairly light and can be carried under furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is an excellent option to keep your home tidy, particularly in the case of pets or children. It requires some maintenance in order to keep it in good condition. Maintaining a regular schedule of cleaning tasks like emptying the dust bin and washing or replacing the filter, and wiping off sensors and cameras can extend the life of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than mopping robots. However, you can extend the life of your vacuum by following instructions from the manufacturer for emptying and cleaning the brush roll, dust bin and filter. It is also recommended to clean the robot's sensors and charging contacts with a damp cloth to keep them from being clogged by dirt.
This model from Eufy is a great choice for those who want a sophisticated robust, sturdy robot that is easy to use. It's sleek slim design that allows it to slip under low ottomans and couches to nab hidden dirt. The app allows you to pick rooms and schedule cleaning as well as to set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned and adjust the cleaning intensity.
Although it's a little more expensive than other models on this list, this model has many features that make up for the extra price tag. Its mapping is fast and it can save four maps of your home in 2D or 3D. It's also one of the quieter robots that we tested, and its battery lasts about three hours on a single charge.
The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with an impressively high performance on walls. In our tests, it cleaned up to 1.3 inch away from the wall. This is more than any other robots we tested. It comes with a variety of smart robot vacuums features including a spot cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It also uses random navigation, which means that it doesn't have to clean the same spots over and over.
The only issue with this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to detect unfinished floors, and is easily confused by thick carpets or rug. It's great for small apartments or homes that have narrow hallways with lots of furniture and narrow hallways.