9 Signs That You're A Robot Vacuum Expert
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it easier. Modern models can also mop, and even 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 an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Other powerful robots that are listed in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them a better choice for people who have sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're just the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and usability. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, robot hoover of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the 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 intend to use your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and attach it again when you are ready to run a new cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on low-pile carpets than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great 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-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in top in good condition. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac charges, you can also choose a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one robot that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and, unless you live in a a small house with no pets, it might be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.