The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives, but robot vacuums make it easier. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty on their own. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on all floors we test.
In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of performance and convenience, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your needs. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well without knowing how to get around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Some robots like the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will cost less to replace. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to 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 mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with a robot vac 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 robot that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they are getting clogged it could be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are created to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. Robot Vacuum Mops deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 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 docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping into obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in perfect state. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last about two cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac recharges, you can also opt for one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, you should consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.