15 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Ignore Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most stubborn 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's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Other powerful robots on this list, besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.
A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, making them a better option for those who have sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
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 being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors, which stop them from falling off steps or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the whole house.
Consider features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one can save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to clean the areas that require the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select one that can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to 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 deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.
robot vacuums cheap -performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but it is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums are made to let you move moving with your day while keeping your floors in tip-top span. You'll still need to manually clean your home every so often however, robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac charges, you can also choose a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash mops when they're empty.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a a small home with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25% less.