The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin which they empty themselves and some can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping features that aid in navigation.
- Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from 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 handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every floor we tested.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These units are quieter, making them a better choice for people with hearing issues. These units are not silent but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
- Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck 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, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss a lot of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will cost less to replace. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
- App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that is capable of dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, and then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on cheaper models. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week Also. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
- Collection of debris
As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones such as metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.
- 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 need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac recharges you, you can select an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a an apartment with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25% less.