The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. Best robot vacuum cleaner UK bundled with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every floor we test.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean by zone, room or all of the house.
Think about features like sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin, pause, and return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week Also. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made to, as the name suggests, to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up small particles such as sand and baking soda, and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low pile than the majority of manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 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 robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles but it's less expensive than our other top-rated selections.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. It is still necessary to manually vacuum your home every so often, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges, you can choose one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you want a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're low.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.