The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of power and usability take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model for your requirements. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to learn more about the most recent models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
robot hoover of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a zone, room or whole home.
Consider features such as floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop utilize mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for many years. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have 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 for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Do related resource site or twice a week. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could 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 ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also provide better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 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 equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in perfect in good condition. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, choose an advancé with a long battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's expensive, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25% less.