So You ve Bought Robot Vacuum ... Now What
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence however, robot vacuum best vacuums make it a little less tedious. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small trash bin which they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on all floors we test.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're just the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum mop cleaner robot to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't perform its task 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 a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices for 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 begin, pause, and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps 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 have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that is capable of dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on less expensive models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice they are starting to clog up it could be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95 percent. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of 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 change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you get moving with your day while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most use of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also opt for an automatic vacuum and mop 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 think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're running low.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a an apartment with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25 percent less.
