The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence However, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models mop and climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled by a smartphone app rather than the physical remote. Some have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, 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 comes with docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every floor type test we ran.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most current models. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively without knowing how to get around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or whole house.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Most also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and 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 stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some smaller models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice they are starting to clog up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created according to the name to remove dust and other debris on 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, as well as pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 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 perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. best budget robot vacuum cleaner feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can 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 cheaper alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you go about your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home every so often however, robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for about two full cleaning sessions if you run it at the highest power setting. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to clean most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you, you can opt for 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, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might 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.