The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin which they empty themselves and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to learn more about the most current models. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a area, room or the whole house.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one can save money on replacements. robot vacuums cheap use a small disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide 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. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some cheaper models. It's recommended to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to collect dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated and feature 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 take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It's not the fastest to map rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other top choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash when you're away.
Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't wish to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you want a robovac that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one machine that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.
The clear winner in 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. It's expensive and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it might be too expensive for certain. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.