The Most Convincing Proof That You Need Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on all floors we test.
In the lower price range, a unit with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of power and usability take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model for your requirements. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot autonomous vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which are more prone to error and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a area, room or the entire home.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots that vacuum and mop such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results with the robot hoover and mop vacuum that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect 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 has gotten stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums best vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's a bit slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you go on with your life while they keep your floors looking spick and span. It is still necessary to manually clean your home on a regular basis but robovacs can help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last 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 be waiting around while your robovac charges you could opt for an automatic model that makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops when they run out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and 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 an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25 percent less.