11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Other powerful robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we tested.

In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. These units are not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job properly without knowing how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Think about features like sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to the most difficult stains.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for many years. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that allows you to start, pause, and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from the robot mop vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot mop's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week as well. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name implies robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top picks.

5. Battery life

The best 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 hoover every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard 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 guideline is to expect a model to last about two cleaning sessions if you run it on the highest power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac recharges you could select an automatic hoover model that makes its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but costs around 25% less.