The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence however, robot vacuums make it less tedious. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered 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 automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for those with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best robotic mop and vacuum combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot automatic vacuum and mop isn't able to perform its job effectively 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 a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean a area, room or the all of the house.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Some premium robots, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Others allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform both dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad and then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some cheaper models. It's a good idea examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every week or once Also. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones such as metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. Our two best-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 perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you want a cheaper option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's not the fastest to map rooms and may be susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you get moving with your day while keeping your floors in tip-top span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean when 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 for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10, the best automatic vacuum cleaner model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're empty.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a a small home with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.