The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we tested.
A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the right model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including 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 used in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off steps or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by zone, room or entire home.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while bigger ones will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain premium robots such as 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 cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid getting into furniture. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform both dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have gotten stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they're getting clogged, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. budget robot vacuum
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of more than 95%. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again, robovacs can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last for around two cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges, you can choose an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too expensive for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but costs around 25% less.