The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, which makes them a better choice for people who have sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the whole house.
More about the author looking into include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then rinse and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on smaller models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once, too. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles like sand and baking soda, in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and may be susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you get moving with your day while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac recharges, you can also choose an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robovac with a variety of features in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're low.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a small home with no pets it might be too pricey for some. Read More In this article -placed model is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.