The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid 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 ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris throughout every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, making them an ideal choice for people who have sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model for your requirements. Look through robotvacuummops of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting 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 digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that stop them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Think about features like sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for many years. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean those areas which need it the most. They also have a cliff detector to keep them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have the rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of more 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, with docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but it is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you go to work while keeping your floors looking spick and clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't wish to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for one that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, and unless you have a small house with no pets, it may be too costly for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25% less.