The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for most homes. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for people with hearing issues. They're not silent but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Assess 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 users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the entire house.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to the most difficult stains.
A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. budget robot vacuum of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll have better results cleaning by having your robot vacuum remove its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll that is found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created to, as the name suggests, to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will pick up tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones such as metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. 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 robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine state. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac recharges you could select one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin and 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, thanks to its impressive 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 small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but it costs 25% less.