The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) stairs.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.
In the lower price range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and convenience. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Assess your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth looking into include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. robot vacuums uk -end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with a remote control that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for a model that can do dry and wet mopping. 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 to do another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with a rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If you notice they are getting clogged, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums will take tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand and larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than the majority of 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 our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're seeking a lower-cost option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It is slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top state. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you could select an automatic model that makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops once they are out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The second choice, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25 percent less.