The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With 8,000Pa of suction power Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a great job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, which makes them the ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're just as loud as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to select the best model for your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the latest models. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job without knowing how to navigate your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean by zone, room or all of the home.
Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while bigger ones will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose one that can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week as well. If you notice they are getting clogged, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that suck up the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. You'll still need to manually clean your home on a regular basis, but robovacs will aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.
Look for budget robot vacuum with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25 percent less.