Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on all floors we tested.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those with sensitive hearing. They're not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to select the best model for your needs. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job if it does not know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the entire house.
Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for many years. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms so that they only clean those areas which need the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs choose one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with a rubber roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have been stuck to them. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while keeping your floors looking spick and clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to expect a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.
