The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives However, robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a powerful docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every floor we test.
In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best robots use sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a zones, rooms or even the entire home.
Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you 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 time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select one that can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're starting to clog up, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. 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 perform maintenance by themselves and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of 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 switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If autonomous vacuum seeking a lower-cost option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness, and will even clean while you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last about two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac recharges you could opt for an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.