Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.
Some have a small bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.
For the best mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend looking through 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 floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well without knowing how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized 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 to prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, while most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 95%. 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 do maintenance on their own and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you go on with your life while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
Find a robovac equipped with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac charges you could select one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25 percent less.