The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives however, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
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 ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Other powerful robots that are listed in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping feature, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the most recent models. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly when it doesn't know how to get around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss many debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Think about features like sensors that detect floors that automatically increase suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually use a small disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms to clean those areas which need the most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select one that can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some smaller models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in top state. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, choose an advancé with a long battery life. If auto vacuum use the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you, you can opt for an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops 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, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.