20 Fun Infographics About Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to baseboards and in corners.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people with hearing issues. They're not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.

To find the ideal balance of performance and convenience, consider your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best robot vacuum and mop model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a good robot vacuum vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot cleaner navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to stop them from falling off steps or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as 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.

Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when needed. Some 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 stubborn staining.

A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaner and mop cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning when your vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

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

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had 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 and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own and apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you want a cheaper option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you move to work while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual automatic hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean when you're away.

To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for 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 larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac recharges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.

If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.

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 a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.