The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence However, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide under furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them an ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum that mops vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates maps 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 employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a zone, room or whole house.
Think about features like sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to 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 to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start, pause, and return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuum best vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuum that mops vacuums are able to take tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95%. 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 features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among 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 change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in pristine state. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can select a model that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you want a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too costly for some. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence However, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide under furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.
In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them an ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum that mops vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates maps 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 employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a zone, room or whole house.
Think about features like sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to 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 to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start, pause, and return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuum best vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuum that mops vacuums are able to take tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, in addition to larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95%. 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 features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among 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 change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and may be susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in pristine state. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can select a model that will automatically return to the base station for charging.
If you want a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too costly for some. The second choice one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.
