Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots that are listed in addition to 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 performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we tested.
A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people who have sensitive hearing. They're not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot do its job without knowing how to navigate your home. Because of this, the best robots use 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 camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of 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 tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use mopping pad lifts to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Some hybrids 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 majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long time. 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 monitors the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then 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 robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select one that can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some less expensive models. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once, too. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies, robot vacuum Mops vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles like sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones such as metal screws, orzo, and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you go about your day while keeping your floors in pristine in good condition. You'll still have to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.
To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose a model with excellent battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you want a robovac that can do a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25 percent less.
