The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence However, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models mop and can 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 a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more effectively.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take on the toughest dirt patches and hairs. Its super-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 pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a powerful docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They aren't silent, however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. cheap robot vacuum cleaner depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean the areas that require the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on smaller models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time but robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last about two cleaning sessions if you run it at the highest power setting. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac recharges you can select a model that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop too. cheap robot vacuum is the best model in this category. It offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they're running low.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25% less.