The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.
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 still not silent, but they're only about the same as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Assess your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most current models. Many users report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. Because of this, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that stop them from falling off stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful oscillating mop heads as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
Consider features such as sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize the smallest disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid getting into furniture. 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 staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning if your robot vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reattach it when you need to conduct a clean-up cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If related resource site notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95%. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance by themselves 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 washboards as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. You'll still have to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even clean when you are away.
Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for about two cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for a model that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.
Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, and unless you have a small house with no pets, it might be too expensive for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25% less.