The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives However, robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the most current models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job properly when it doesn't know how to get around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss a lot of debris in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off steps or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth looking into include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing convenience without hands.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Look for best robot hoover with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Others allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that is capable of both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will take tiny particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance 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 top choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you get moving with your day while they keep your floors looking spick and clean. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you get from your robovac, look for a model with excellent 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 not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it should be enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac recharges you could choose one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
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 nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.