The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to the baseboards as well as in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.
For the best mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the most power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job properly without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by area, room or the entire house.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid running into furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs choose one that can perform dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. automatic vacuum cleaner have better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The two top performers 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 by themselves and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home every so often but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac charges you could opt for one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're low.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent 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 could be too expensive for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.