The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small dustbin which they empty themselves and some are operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With 8,000Pa of suction power, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Other powerful robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. good robot vacuum comes with docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Consider your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model for your needs. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't accomplish its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and tend to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or whole house.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. 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 top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. They also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick one that can perform both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some cheaper models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have been stuck to them. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice they are starting to clog up, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95 percent. The two top-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 do maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but it is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you go to work while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to anticipate a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also select one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a a small home with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25 percent less.