Indisputable Proof You Need Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty on their own. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

Apart 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 latter comes with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.

In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, making them a better choice for people who have sensitive hearing. These units are not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.

To find the ideal balance of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the most current models. Many users report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the best robot vacuum robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots come with cliff sensors that stop them from falling off steps or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to the most difficult stains.

A smaller size of the bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot hoover and mop vacs have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.

If you want to make use of your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every once or twice per week Also. If you notice they are starting to clog up, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones like metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance by themselves and features in the app that make them extremely 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 have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot cleaner robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in top in good condition. It is still necessary to manually clean your home every so often, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.

To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac recharges you, you can choose one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto vacuum and mop empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but costs around 25% less.