20 Fun Infographics About Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest 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 obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every floor we test.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning robot mop and vacuum schedules to select the best model for your needs. Check out our complete list of robot autonomous vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and creates maps 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.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean a area, room or the whole house.
Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic hoovers cleaners use a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from hitting furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some cheaper models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are created to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than most manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in perfect state. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home every so often, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you could choose an automatic vacuum and mop model that makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops once they are out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.
