Vacuuming is the bane of many lives however, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot automatic vacuum and mop robot reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best robot vacuum that mops robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which keep 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, however, the best robot cleaner was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a zone, room or whole home.
Think about features like floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use the smallest disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot hoover vacuums have an application that lets you track the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to your 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 remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, and then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine 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 cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week Also. If you notice they are starting to clog up it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically take 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 that can help them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best choice for those who have to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's slow to map rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top-rated choices.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you get on with your life while keeping your floors in tip-top span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two full cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for an option that automatically returns to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives however, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.
