Buzzwords De-Buzzed: 10 More Methods Of Saying Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test we ran.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, making them a better choice for people with hearing issues. They're not silent but they are only about the same as normal conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. The best robot vacuum cleaner and mop robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.

Take into consideration features such as sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from hitting furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform both dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Clean it and attach it again when you are ready to run a new cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers like those found on smaller models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of greater than 95 percent. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa automatic vacuum cleaner, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuum and mop vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine in good condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual automatic vacuum cleaner and mop every now and again Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.

Find a robovac equipped with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two cleaning sessions when you run it on the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac charges, you can also select one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should 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, the water tank, and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're low.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too costly for certain. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25 percent less.