The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These units are quieter, making them a better option for those with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
To find the ideal balance of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot do its job if it does not know how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by zone, room or all of the house.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will save 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 that last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you want to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If robot vacuum cleaner amazon notice that they're starting to clog up it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are made to let you go moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. You'll still have to manually clean your home every so often but robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose a model with excellent battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac charges, you can also select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops when they run out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a an almost perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25% less.