11 Ways To Fully Redesign Your Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.

They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking stations that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during 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 and, therefore, a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. These units are not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.

For the best mix of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Assess your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the right model. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels of 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 environments. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.

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

Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum reviews 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. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take tiny particles like sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 percent. Our two best automatic vacuum cleaner-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, 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 not the fastest to map rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other best-buy picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in perfect in good condition. It is still necessary to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean when you are away.

To maximize the time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two cleaning sessions if you run it at the highest power setting. This is less than a larger automatic vacuum and mop but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac recharges, you can also opt for one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robovac with a variety of features in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops once they are out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too costly for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.