The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of 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 powerful enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.
Other powerful robots that are listed apart from 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 automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to choosing the right model. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about 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 effectively if it doesn't know how to get around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Most robots come with cliff sensors to prevent them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean by area, room or the whole home.
Consider features such as sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin 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, whereas most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. remote hoover of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms so that they only clean those areas which need the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot with a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on smaller models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name implies robot vacuums are created to remove 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 such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top state. You'll still need to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even clean while you're away.
Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac charges, you can also opt for one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner in 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 a small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but costs around 25 percent less.