The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every type of floor we tested.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your requirements. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the most recent models. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results with the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than most manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of more than 95 95%. The two top performers 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 app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can take 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 cheaper alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you go to work while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.
To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac charges you, you can select one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.
If robot vacuum cleaners reviews looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding 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 live in a an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25 percent less.