Ten Things Your Competitors Learn About Best Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums do a great job of picking up pet hair and other debris on hard floors and in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Certain models can be operated using a smartphone app, while others require a physical remote. Some include advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and editable floor maps.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that keep away obstacles such as furniture, walls and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to identify toys, pet food and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will save you time by making sure that your robot is not stuck under the couch or behind the bed.
Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create maps. This allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space, such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot is equipped with, but it can make a significant difference in the efficiency and comfort of your new device.
A lot of the cheaper models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. They can be useful in many situations, but they can easily get hung up on items that are too close, like lamp cords and shoes. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from a missed obstacle which is why you may need to set up digital keep-out zones in your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums will get stuck on larger objects, like large pet poop or chairs legs. The robot cleaner won't be able lift large objects and may be forced to push them over or around the edges of the room. This could leave ugly skids on your floors. In the case of pets or cats it is possible to block its path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to set up within the application).
The advanced robotic vacuums listed here use object detection to determine what is in front of them, even in low-light conditions. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Basses
If you suffer from allergies or don't have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after each cleaning session, self-emptying bases are a convenient feature to look for. They can hold between 45 to 60 days of waste, meaning they should be emptied far less often than the bin on the robot's own.
Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature such as the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own, unless it comes with your robot vacuum.
Aside from cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning bases that self-empty can also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home clean. Depending on the brand the base comes with separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, but they may require cleaning regularly. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended to make use of the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
The suction power of a robot is an additional factor to consider. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies use, some offer Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. Generally speaking, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Also, a quality robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's guide that is simple to read. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is crucial since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should look for a thorough manual that covers setup as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. You should be able if you are using a mobile application to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can set them up in rooms, zones, or individual floors. Some apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions and even command the robot with a voice. Some of the most popular brands allow you to create virtual no-go zones and make customized cleaning schedules. The top robots let you save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you like. If you do not remember to finish the task the robot will pick up where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums may not have the power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, but their motors are energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums can run for hours on a single charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their home base, without needing to be there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to tidy your whole apartment on one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be emptied after every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, especially when you have a large home or lots of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum will save you a lot of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own dustbin and even blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for its next session of vacuuming.

The majority of robot vacuums come with an ejector or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly beneficial when your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the same amount of suction as a traditional vacuum does and often struggle with spills of liquid.
If you're looking for a robot that can vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both of high-quality and provide great value. They both have a good level of suction and come with a big self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, though, so they might not be able to tackle your entire home in one charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. click here to read doesn't have a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum designed for furniture or stairs, but it can be used to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums are able to save you time and effort, they also require regular maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For example, choose a model with a self-emptying base to reduce the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly beneficial if your pets shed a lot or have an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
Most of our top picks include additional features that help reduce the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. Think about a multi-surface cleaner that has a a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and remains on well as well as a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that can recognize dirt spots in your home, so it slows down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and also use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Some have advanced software that can learn the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, however, you'll need to pay for these advanced features.
Robot vacuums are offered in different prices, ranging from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro that can only be used on hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 max+ which can vacuum and mop both carpets and hardwoods. Like most things that you purchase, if you require more features, it will cost more, but there are options to suit every budget.
Whether you just need a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we have the best robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's equipped with wifi and works with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can program cleaning times and remotely control the vacuum.
For more tips on choosing the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide to the top robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure that your holiday gift arrives in time.