The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. automatic hoover mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, other debris close to the baseboards as well as in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as 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, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient 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're not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job well when it doesn't know how to get around your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types 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 levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent 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. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a zones, rooms or even the entire house.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning 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. Some models have a remote control that allows you to start, pause, and return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once, too. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up 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 helps them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you want a cheaper alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in pristine condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also choose an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops once they are out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.