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 bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots in this list apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris throughout every floor type test that we conducted.
A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those with hearing issues. They aren't silent, but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model for your needs. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most recent models. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by zone, room or entire house.
Consider features such as sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually use a small disposable dust bag, while the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty 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 cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also look for a robot with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on once or twice a week as well. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will take small particles such as baking soda and sand and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also get better pickup results on low-pile carpets than most manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 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 can perform maintenance on their own. robot cleaner have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that suck up 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 to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for users who need to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're seeking a lower-cost option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other top picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you go to work while keeping your floors in tip-top span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home every so often, but robovacs will aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't wish to wait for your robovac to recharge you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.
