The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives however, robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove 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's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we test.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them an ideal choice for people with hearing issues. They're not quiet, but they're just the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to choose the right model for your needs. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. best rated robot vacuum was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. best automatic vacuum cleaner can apply cleaning solution to the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one will save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped 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 they only clean the areas that require the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on smaller models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect small particles such as baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones like metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you go on with your life while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and again Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for about two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you, you can select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class, offers 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 mops when they're empty.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25 percent less.