The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more effectively.
- Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most stubborn 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 offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards and in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.
A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
To get the most effective mix of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
- Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. This is why the best robots use advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss a lot of debris in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Consider features such as sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
- App control
The best robot vacs have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs let you 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 stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that is capable of dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to 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 robot with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll that is found on smaller 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, too. If you notice they are getting clogged, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
- Debris collection
As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low pile than the majority of manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95 percent. 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 extremely user-friendly.
They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
- Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you go about your day while they keep your floors in top state. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis but robovacs can help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose a model with excellent battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a typical 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 could choose a model that automatically makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one robot that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.