Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums do an excellent job of removing pet hair and other particles on hard floors and in carpet. However, they leave a lot on the baseboards and furniture.
Some models are operated using a smartphone app and others require a physical remote. Certain models have advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and floor plans that can be modified.
Object Avoidance
The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems that can keep away obstacles such as walls, furniture, and cords. They also have object-avoidance technology to detect pets, toys, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or get caught by the suction blades. These features will save you time by preventing your robot from getting trapped under the couch or behind a bed.
Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This allows them to navigate more accurately and precisely. They can also detect changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has, but it could make a significant difference to the performance and convenience your new appliance.
A lot of the less expensive models rely on sensors to guide them around your home. They are useful in many scenarios, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, like shoes or lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from a missed obstacle, so you might have to set up electronic keep-out zones around your house for certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums can get caught up in larger objects, like large pet poop or chair legs. If the object is too large the robot may not be capable of lifting it, and will likely be forced to push it to the edge of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. In the case of dogs or cats it is possible to block their path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the app).
The most advanced robotic vacuums listed here use object detection that works in low and optimal light conditions to see what's in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify more than 30 types of obstacles under optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Whether you have allergies or simply don't have the time to manually empty the dust bin of a robot vacuum after every cleaning session, self-emptying bins are an excellent feature to look for. These devices can hold up to 60 days of debris. They must be cleaned less often than the dustbin of the robot.
This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have purchase the self-emptying base on your own unless it's included with the robot.
Self-emptying bases not just save your time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also keep your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that can capture allergens, but they may require cleaning regularly. You should always make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to ensure the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is an additional aspect to take into consideration. There is no standard power scale used by all companies, however some offer Pascal (Pa) which gives you an idea of how the robot performs. In general, the higher the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
A good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's guide that is simple to read. A well-written guide can assist you in understanding the basics and solve issues as they arise. This is vital as these machines aren't cheap. Find a comprehensive guide that explains setup maintenance, troubleshooting and setup tips. You should be able when using an app on your mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones or even individual floors. Some apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even speak to the robot. A few of the top brands allow you to set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning schedules. The top robots allow you to save a cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you want. If you fail to complete the task, the robot will pick up where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Although robot vacuums don't have the same power as fully-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. This is why the top robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuums run for hours on one charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their home base, without needing to join them. In our tests, we found that a 90-100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to thoroughly clean your entire home in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be cleaned out after every couple of cleans. This can be a challenging task, especially if have a large residence or pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum will save you from a lot of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own trash bin and blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for the next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuum black friday vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is particularly beneficial if your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the same amount of suction as a traditional vacuum does and often struggle with liquid spills.
If you're looking for a machine that can both vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer an excellent value. They both have a good amount of suction and come with a large self-emptying base station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, and so they might not be able to take on your entire home in one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. The model isn't expensive and doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floor. The 11S isn't able to vacuum furniture or stairs however it's a great choice for keeping your floors looking clean between mopping and vacuuming sessions.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great to save time and energy, but they require regular maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. Select a model with self-emptying bottoms to reduce the amount of time you'll need to empty the bin manually during cleaning. This feature is especially helpful when you have pets that shed a lot, or if you often forget to sweep and mop.
In addition to standard features like a rotating brush and suction, most expensive robot vacuum of our top picks come with additional features that will cut down cleanup time even further. Think about a multi-surface cleaner that has a mopping pads that can be removed, which are easy to attach and holds well or a Vacuum Bot that has LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots around your home, so it reduces the time to clean them thoroughly.
Some models allow you to create a cleaning schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and also use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay for these features.
There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things when you're looking for more features, it will cost more, but there are options to suit every budget.
We have the best self cleaning robot vacuum robot vacuums for your needs, whether it's a a basic bump and roll vac or one that has intelligent mapping that will clean your washing board while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with an excellent technology for avoiding objects that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleaning times or remotely control the vacuum.
For more tips on choosing the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide to the top robotic vacuums. Be sure to keep track of our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure that your Christmas delivery is on time.