So , You've Bought Robot Vacuum ... Now What
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence however, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
They have a tiny dustbin which they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automates 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 messes on all floors we test.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those with hearing issues. These units are not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as 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 top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Most also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need 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 plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on cheaper models. It's a good idea examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once as well. If you notice that they are starting to clog up it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones pick small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. robot vacuum cleaner best provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. Our two best-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 do maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It's not the fastest to map rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in perfect condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for around two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you could choose a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash 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 have a small house with no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25% less.