The Leading Reasons Why People Perform Well On The Robot Vacuum Industry
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around baseboards and corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we test.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter, making them the ideal choice for people with hearing issues. They aren't silent, but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Then assess your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot do its job if it does not know how to navigate your home. This is why the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.
A smaller bin means less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Others allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for a model that can do dry and wet mopping. vacuum bot 'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice they are starting to clog up it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you move moving with your day while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.
To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.
Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too costly for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25% less.