The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives However, robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
With 8,000Pa of suction power Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered 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 is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for people with hearing issues. They aren't silent, but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Assess your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively 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, camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the entire house.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms so that they only clean those areas which need it the most. They also have cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll have better results cleaning when your vacuum can remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to run 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 roller, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made to, 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 baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in top in good condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most of it. If automatic vacuum cleaner use the highest power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for a model that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25 percent less.