The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives However, robot vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent, but they're only as loud as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that need it most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you want to utilize your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand and larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of more than 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 with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top-rated choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in top condition. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If automated vacuum don't want to be waiting around while your robovac recharges, you can also choose a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.