The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives However, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more effectively.
- Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every floor type test that we conducted.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them a better option for those with hearing issues. They're still not quiet, but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your needs. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
- Navigation
A robot vacuum can't perform its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors that stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or whole home.
Consider features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Some premium robots, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
- App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they are getting clogged, it may be time to replace parts.
- Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made according to the name to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as orzo pasta, Robotvacuummops screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95%. Our two best-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 features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It's slow to map out rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated selections.
- Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you go moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two full cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the 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, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a a small home with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25 percent less.