The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. best budget robot vacuum
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.
A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're just as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and usability. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to choose the right model for your needs. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job if it does not know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are less accurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which stop them from falling off stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully 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.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones can save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.
3. best inexpensive robot vacuum control
The best robot vacs have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid getting into furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they are getting clogged it could be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made according to the name to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95 percent. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically 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 areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of 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 mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit for your robovac to recharge you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25% less.