The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn 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 obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking stations that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we tested.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and efficiency. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the most power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. 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 floors look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. cheap robot vacuum cannot do its job if it does not know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones can save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually use a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin, pause, and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once Also. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name implies robot vacuums are made to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of more than 95 percent. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you go on with your life while keeping your floors looking spick and span. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home every so often however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, make sure you choose a model with excellent battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a little amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and, unless you live in a a small house with no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.