15 Weird Hobbies That ll Make You More Effective At Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of an actual 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 strong enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on all floors we tested.

In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They're not silent but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuums that mop vacuum can't do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. This is why the best robots use advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots in my tests utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then 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 helps them recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid running into furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on less expensive models. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week as well. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up it might be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective ones can 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.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with 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 eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa autonomous vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and can be prone to bumping into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other top picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top state. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain 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, choose an advancé with a long battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a large automatic vacuum and mop robot cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also select a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're low.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.