The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping feature, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job well when it doesn't know how to get around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots like the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones will cost less to replace. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid getting into furniture. Others allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every once or twice per week Also. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's not the fastest to map rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy selections.
5. robot vacuum cleaner reviews let you go about your day while they keep your floors in pristine in good condition. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can help you maintain a basic level 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 not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
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. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25% less.