The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) stairs.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around baseboards and corners.
Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically handles maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. 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 with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires the most power. Check 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 most recent models. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds 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. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
robot vacuum cleaners looking into include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs choose a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll that is found on smaller models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice they are starting to clog up, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95%. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while keeping your floors looking spick and clean. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home from time to time, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging you could choose an automatic model that makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you want a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up, great hair pickup and 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 live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.