9 Signs That You re The Robot Vacuum Expert

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.

1. Power

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

Other high-powered robots that are listed besides 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 messes on every type of floor we test.

A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.

For the best automatic vacuum and mop mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Assess your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best robotic mop and vacuum model. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews (navigate to this site) and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Most robots also feature 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. However, the Eufy X10 was the best automatic vacuum. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the 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, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require 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 automatic vacuum cleaner and mop to clean carpets, select a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they are getting clogged it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low pile than the majority of manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95 percent. The two top-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 do maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.

If you want a cheaper alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other top choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums are made to let you get to work while they keep your floors in tip-top span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can get out of 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 not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.

If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash its own mop pads when they're empty.

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 nearly perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score. It's expensive, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.