So You ve Bought Robot Vacuum ... Now What
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Other powerful robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for most homes. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, but they are only about the same as normal conversations at home.
For the best mix of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to select the best model for your needs. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum cleaner uk vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to do its job when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A number of the robots I tested utilized objects recognition to navigate through things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device with powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean by zones, rooms or even the all of the home.
Think about features like floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can even 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 usually use a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for 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 connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, like the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You'll have better results cleaning by having your robot vacuum also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
robot cleaner vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect small particles such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores higher than 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of 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 through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in pristine in good condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you select the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac charges you could select an automatic model that makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but it costs 25 percent less.