The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With 8,000Pa of suction power Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.
Other high-powered robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're not the same volume as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to choose the right model for your needs. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates a map 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 utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Think about features like sensors that detect floors that automatically increase suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually use a small disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Some premium robots like 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 that monitors cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose 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 and then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on cheaper models. It's recommended to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck every week or once as well. If you notice that they are beginning to get clogged up it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies robot vacuums are made to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots 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 have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also among 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 mopping and vacuuming frequently.
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 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 it is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move on with your life while they keep your floors in tip-top span. It is still necessary to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging you could select an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If best inexpensive robot vacuum want a robovac that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but costs around 25% less.