The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping features that aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around baseboards and corners.
Other powerful robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every flooring type test we conducted.
In the lower price range, a unit with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than enough for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your requirements. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. best cheap robot vacuum is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.
The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to prevent them from falling off stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake dog turds and cords, but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, such as 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 stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying while larger ones can save 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, can self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also connect to 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. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs have mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you want to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to purchase replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Robot vacuums are made according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95 percent. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.
They both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the only robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. You'll still have to manually clean your home from time to time but robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even clean while 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 large vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac charges, you can also choose an automatic model that makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too expensive for certain. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25 percent less.