The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture like couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every floor we tested.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them a better choice for people with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job well if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the all of the house.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. robot vacuums cheap of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Certain robovacs let you define no-go zones and rooms to clean the areas that require it the 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 to clean rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week Also. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name implies robot vacuums are created to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you want a cheaper option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while keeping your floors clean and spick and clean. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to clean most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac charges you, you can opt for a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops when they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.