robot vacuums best can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of an actual 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 powerful enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots that are listed besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than enough for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're just the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and efficiency. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is needed. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly without knowing how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being 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 room map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that is capable of 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 reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The two top-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 app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in pristine in good condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, choose a model with excellent battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac recharges you could select a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25 percent less.