Then You ve Found Your Robot Vacuum ... Now What
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are operated by a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them a better option for people who have sensitive hearing. They're not silent, but they're only as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot automatic vacuum cleaner and mop won't be able to do its job well without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots use sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss many debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best rated robot vacuum. It was a fantastic mapping device with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or all of the house.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, while most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control 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.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean those areas which need it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll that is found on cheaper models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have been stuck to them. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog up, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand and larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums that mop vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine in good condition. You'll still need to manually clean your home every so often, but robovacs will aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac charges, you can also select a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.