15 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ignoring Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.

They have a small dustbin which they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture like couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris near baseboards and in corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews (Read Home ) and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic hoovers vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot hoover and mop vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively without knowing how to get around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app that monitors the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like stairs, and avoid getting into furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Clean it and reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are created according to the name to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best rated robot vacuum-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you want a cheaper option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.

Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good rule of thumb is to anticipate a model to last for about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also opt for a model that automatically makes its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're low.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.