20 Tools That Will Make You Better At Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is a major cause of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.

Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris near the baseboards as well as in corners.

Other high-powered robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris in every floor type test we ran.

In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and convenience. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your requirements. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to learn more about the latest models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robotic hoovers vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate 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 kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the all of the home.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot hoover vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums with mop vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that can perform dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can take tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of more than 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 incredibly user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're seeking a lower-cost option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles however it's much less expensive than our other top choices.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are designed to let you go moving with your day while keeping your floors in tip-top clean. It is still necessary to manually clean your home from time to time but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even clean while you're away.

Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good robot vacuum guideline is to expect a robovac to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.

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 an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25 percent less.