The Ultimate Guide To Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence However, robot vacuum with mop vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the robot vacuum and mop Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every floor type test we ran.
A model with 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 silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
To find the ideal balance of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your requirements. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews (go right here) and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will cost less to replace. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you want to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to 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 an elastomer roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot mop's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they are getting clogged, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can take tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95%. Our two best-performing robots that vacuum and mop in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move to work while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a full-sized vacuum, however, it should be enough to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge, you can choose an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
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 an almost perfect auto empty score. It's expensive, and unless you have a small house with no pets, it may be too costly for some. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25% less.