20 Resources That Will Make You Better At 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 which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.
In the lower price range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only as loud as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to choose the right model to meet your needs. We recommend 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 floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best automatic vacuum cleaner robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Consider features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Certain robovacs let you designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to make use of your robot automatic vacuum cleaner and mop for cleaning carpets, select one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies robot vacuums are created to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95%. 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 perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa automatic vacuum and mop, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It's not the fastest to map rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other best-buy choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you go to work while keeping your floors in tip-top clean. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges, you can choose one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best automatic vacuum cleaner model in this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and near-perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.