The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it a little easier. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is durable enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.
Aside from robot vacuum hoover X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those who have sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're just the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Think about automated vacuum 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 less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model to meet your requirements. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most current models. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for decades. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another 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 a bristle roller that is found on less expensive models. It's a good idea to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every week or once as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may 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 best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and app features which 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 while they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're seeking a lower-cost option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you go to work while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you, you can select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25 percent less.