11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence however, robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.

Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around baseboards and corners.

Other powerful robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we tested.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, making them an ideal option for those who have sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not about the same as a normal conversation at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and efficiency. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires a lot of power. Consider your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews - Continued, and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic hoovers vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly without knowing how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.

Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one will cost less to replace. The most affordable robotic hoovers cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some premium robots, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to keep them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests robot vacuum with mop vacuums are created to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.

All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. 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 take the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of bumping into obstacles, but the cost is less than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect in good condition. You'll still have to manually automatic vacuum cleaner your home from time to time however, robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.

Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to anticipate a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you run it at the highest power setting. This is smaller than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough 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 automatically returns to the base station for charging.

If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and unless you have a small house with no pets, it may be too expensive for certain. The second-placed model is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.