The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every flooring type test we conducted.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for those with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the most power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your requirements. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't perform its task without knowing how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision 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 environments. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by zones, rooms or even the whole house.
Think about features like floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop utilize 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 save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. best inexpensive robot vacuum that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can pick up small particles such as baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them incredibly 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 have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping into obstacles, but the cost is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you go moving with your day while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you want a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10, the best model of this category, offers 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 its mop pads when they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's expensive, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25% less.