The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it a little easier. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. automatic hoover can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we test.
In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, which makes them an ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
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 cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping as well as 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 wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some smaller models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of 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, equipped with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket and can 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 challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you want a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.