The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more effectively.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots that are listed besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people with hearing issues. They're not silent but they are only about the same as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most current models. Many users report 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 rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
reference use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the entire home.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while bigger ones will cost less to replace. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on smaller models. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater 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 perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you move moving with your day while keeping your floors in tip-top clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash 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, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you, you can select an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective 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 automatically refill and wash mops when they run out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have a small house with no pets, it could be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.