14 Common Misconceptions About Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it easier. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) steps.

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.

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

For the best mix of power and usability take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews (http://ezproxy.Cityu.edu.hk) and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which stop 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, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Other features worth looking into include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Some premium robots, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run a new 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, as found on some cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once, too. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to take small particles such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.

All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots that vacuum and mop had pick-up scores of more than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it is less than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in perfect condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't wish to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for a model that automatically returns to the base station for charging.

If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, you should consider a robot hoover and mop that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best robot vacuum and mop model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash its own mop pads when they're low.

Its respectable 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. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.