15 Reasons To Not Overlook Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
Our top choice 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 design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to the baseboards as well as in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, which makes them a better choice for people with hearing issues. These units are not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and efficiency. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. 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 that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job properly without knowing how to get around your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot vacuums that mop navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off steps or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while bigger ones can save money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris once or twice a week Also. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best automatic vacuum and mop robot vacuums can pick up tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of more than 95 95%. Our two best robot vacuum and mop-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's slow to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other top choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect condition. You'll still need to manually clean your home on a regular basis but robovacs can help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger automatic vacuum and mop robot but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you could choose one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25 percent less.