The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around baseboards and corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. 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.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. They are also quieter, which makes them a better option for people with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of power and usability take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job properly without knowing how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Robot Vacuum Mops depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by area, room or the all of the house.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will cost less to replace. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean those areas which need the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can take tiny particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also get better pickup results on low-pile carpets than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you go moving with your day while keeping your floors looking spick and span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home every so often however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac recharges you, you can select one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25 percent less.