The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Other powerful robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.
A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them a better option for those with hearing issues. They aren't silent, however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
For the best mix of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to select the best model for your needs. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the most current models. Many users report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the entire house.
Consider features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect small particles such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of more than 95 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for users who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy selections.
5. best budget robot vacuum cleaner are designed to let you go on with your life while they keep your floors in tip-top span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home every so often but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.
Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25 percent less.