The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Today's models also mop and climb (small) stairs.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in 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. best budget robot vacuum are also quieter, which makes them a better choice for people with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.
For the best mix of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to learn more about the most recent models. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job properly without knowing how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Think about features like sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while larger ones can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to clean those areas which need it the most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is especially helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they are starting to clog up it might be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best choice for users who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also choose a model that automatically makes its way back 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 can mop as well. Eufy's X10, the best model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle-free, and a an almost perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and, unless you live in a the space of a small home with no pets, it might be too expensive for certain. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25% less.