The Most Convincing Proof That You Need Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives, but robot vacuum cleaners best vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a powerful docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test we ran.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them a better option for people with hearing issues. They're still not silent, but they're only as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the latest models. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job properly if it doesn't know how to get around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you want to use your robot automatic vacuum and mop for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, and then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on cheaper models. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris once or twice a week, too. If you notice that they are getting clogged, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuum that mops vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.
In all flooring types, the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that suck up the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you go on with your life while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.
To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. A good guideline is to expect a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops once they are out.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a an almost perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score makes 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 might be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.