15 Reasons Not To Be Ignoring Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives however, robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) stairs.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than the physical remote. Some have mapping features that aid in navigation.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around baseboards and corners.

Other powerful robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for most homes. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.

For the best mix of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews - Recommended Looking at, and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floor look 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. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean by zone, room or all of the house.

Think about features like floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller size of the bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic hoovers cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some premium robots that vacuum and mop like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuum and mop robot vacs have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers like those found on smaller models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums will take tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, and larger ones such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95%. The two top-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 perform maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while they keep your floors looking spick and span. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to wait while your robovac recharges, you can choose one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.

If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25% less.