10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has Regarding Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.

They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of the physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.

1. Power

With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Other powerful robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a powerful docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. 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 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, making them an ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're not the same volume as a normal conversation at home.

To find the ideal balance of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. 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 most power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum best vacuum isn't able to do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are more prone to error and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. 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 entire house.

Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic hoovers cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for many years. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty 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, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuum that mops vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll have better results cleaning when your vacuum can remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. It will be less likely to get caught 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 once or twice a week as well. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to collect dust and debris on your floors. The best ones pick small particles such as baking soda and sand as in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than most manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95%. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the only robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation for 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 cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best rated robot vacuum robot vacuums are designed to let you get moving with your day while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean when you're away.

To maximize the time you get from your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac charges you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're 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 live in a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.