15 Reasons Not To Be Ignoring Robot Vacuum

The best robot vacuum that mops Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) stairs.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some models 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 remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture like sofas and beds, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a powerful docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.

In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for most homes. These units are quieter, making them an ideal option for people who have sensitive hearing. They're not silent but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job well if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots use advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main 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. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots 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, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a zones, rooms or even the whole house.

Consider features such as sensors for floors that automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic hoovers cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to define no-go zones and rooms to clean areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that is capable of dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll that is 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 twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are created according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also provide better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.

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

Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the only robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It's slow to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated selections.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.

Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges, you can choose a model that will automatically return to the base station for charging.

If you're looking for a robot that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and a near perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.