The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list 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 mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more details about the latest models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to do its job if it does not know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and can miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Think about features like floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones will cost less to replace. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
websites are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum remove its mop pad. Rinse automatic hoover , and then reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our 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.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart 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 take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's a bit slow to map rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other top-rated choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for around two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge, you can choose a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one machine 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 the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25 percent less.