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 mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a powerful docking station that automates maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about automatic hoover and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well if it doesn't know how to get around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used objects recognition to navigate through things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that can perform both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they are starting to clog up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top robots had pickup scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can vacuum carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but the cost is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in pristine condition. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're low.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.