Jade Ketner

Best Rated Robot Vacuum and Mop

Eufy's top-rated robot vacuum with mop vacuum and mop takes a bit of the hands-off work out of keeping your floors tidy. It can refill its own water tank and empty its tower bin. It also has the ability to change the dust bag.

More advanced models are able to draw a map of your home and take note of the furniture's position. They can also spot obstructions and avoid dangers like charging cables that are loose and stray socks.

Object Avoidance

Object avoidance functions allow your robot to avoid crashing into things such as power cords, toys and clothes that can get caught up in the vacuum. These are especially important if you have kids or pets who may be inclined to leave objects on the floor, which your robot will find them.

Depending on the model you select depending on the model you choose, you may have an array of different sensor options available to aid your robot in navigating around obstacles. Some of the most sought-after include crossed IR sensor beams that are infrared-focused lights which scan the room looking for things like furniture legs or door frames. Many robots have embraced this technology, and you'll see it in the top models that are more expensive.

Other technology for avoiding objects that is available in more expensive robotics includes 3D Structured Light which uses cameras and a crossed IR sensors to map the surrounding area and identify obstacles. Time of Flight (ToF), sensors that measure and emit the time it takes for the light to reflect off an object, in order to determine its distance, are available. They aren't as common, but are a great addition to your robot, in case you're looking to add peace of mind.

In addition to picking up dust and debris on floors that are hard, most of the Best robot vacuum cleaner UK-rated robots can sweep your floors as well. Some robots come with very own water tanks that let them clean up messes and spills. You'll need to empty the robot's onboard dust bin and clean its cameras and sensors between cleaning sessions, but these chores should not take a lot of time.

Mapping

Robot vacuums need to have mapping capabilities. This allows them to navigate your home without getting caught up against walls. Without mapping, they may be tripped by furniture, cords or pet toys, and end up taking less space from your space. Most robots use sensors to map your home and navigate around obstacles. This allows them to clean the entire floor using fewer passes, which saves your time. A lot of the top robot vacuums also come with this feature, which enables you to create areas of no-go.

Robots that have a built-in LIDAR system use this technology to map your home quickly and efficiently. In our tests, the Eufy Clean robot used this feature to divide my home into different areas and clean each one independently it was a major improvement over the cheaper models we tested, which used a front bump sensor. This was a far more precise method of navigating my home and was also easy to control using the on-device application.

Although no robot vacuum has the ability to climb stairs, the majority of the top-rated models come with obstacle avoidance and mapping features. These tools let them remove debris from low-pile and hard floors, and prevent falling down the stairs. Some have cliff sensors that prevent them from going over the edge of the stairs and some also have boundary strips that keep them away from certain areas.

Some robots have a large base tower that is able to collect dirt. This reduces the amount of dust or allergens that are released within your home. These bases can go several weeks or even months without emptying, and are particularly beneficial if you have allergies. Additionally, some models come with self-emptying systems that allow you to dump out their onboard dust bins without having to manually open or close them.

Wi-Fi enabled

Some robot vacuums use Wi-Fi to communicate with their apps and allow you to control them using your smartphone rather than (or in addition to) an actual remote. These models are more expensive however they can save you time because you can schedule cleaning time every day, weekly, or even monthly. They also often allow you to edit and save floor maps as well as provide alternative cleaning patterns.

Dual sensors are used by the most advanced robot vacuums. They combine with a LIDAR mapping system with a structured-light sensor that can detect and avoid objects, even when they are hidden beneath furniture or power cables. These features let your robot reach tight areas, like the nook beneath your kitchen cabinets or under your sofas. Other robots struggle with these kinds of spaces. They are also more efficient in getting over obstacles and have longer run times with larger dust bins, making them more suitable for large homes than entry-level robotics.

The Best robot vacuum cleaner UK robot vacuums are fast efficient, smart and powerful. They are able to pick up an array of floor debris such as pet hair, kitty-litter and other messes. They're also quiet, which makes them an ideal choice for homes that have pets as well as young children. Most robot vacuum users we've spoken to report that they enjoy the convenience of having their floors cleaned without much effort. This is especially true when used regularly. Robots can last as long as traditional vacuum cleaners, provided they have the right maintenance (cleaning robot mop and vacuum rotating brushes and keeping track of replacement parts). PCWorld provides a guide that includes some helpful tips to ensure that your robot is running smoothly.

Larger Dust Bags

While a robotic vacuum may not clean as well as a canister or upright model, it's great at picking up dirt and dust that regular vacuuming leaves behind. It is a great tool for quick touch-ups of bare floors and can also navigate around cords or other obstacles in your home. If you don't want to do the deep cleaning yourself, a robotic cleaner can be sent out to scour your floors on a regular schedule.

The top-rated robot vacuums come with large dust bags that can store more dirt than one room. This can save you time and money on new bags. Several of the models on our list include this feature, including the top choice model, the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo. This robovac all-in-one is a top-performing robovac that has a self-emptying bin. It has a mopping feature and an efficient navigation. It is a close race between the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ and this model, which utilizes intelligent mapping and avoidance technology. This model is more expensive but has a larger capacity.

Another big difference between these two models is the way they deal with hair that is long, which can tangle in the rollers of some robots. The most efficient models are the Roborock Q5 Max+ and SwitchBot K10S Plus, both have excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance scores, along with great path planning and near perfect auto empty results. The Shark Matrix Plus and eufy are also great options with respectable hair pick-up and tangle avoidance, but not as much path planning or auto empty.

The most recent robots have sensors that can detect dirt and other debris in the carpet, and are better at picking up loose pet hair. Some even have a dedicated mopping mode that uses the reservoir of water to eliminate the stains and spills. This feature is essential for families with pets as well as children.

Maintenance

Having a robot vacuum can be a huge aid in keeping a close eye on your home. While no robot is able to substitute an upright or canister vacuum for deep cleaning, the highest models that are rated highly pick up pet hair, lint, and other surface dirt on hard floors and low-pile carpets and pick up more than you would find with a broom. They also have navigation features which prevent them from getting stuck on rug fringe or power cords and are able to slide easily under furniture.

According to the model, you can program a robot vacuum to run multiple times per day, or watch it perform its duties using an app. However, these useful devices can also be prone to clogging and require regular maintenance like emptying the onboard bin (or the base's larger dust bin in certain cases), checking brushes for hair that has become tangled and periodically rinsing and allowing the filters to dry according to the manufacturer.

Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin, a store owner apprentice at University Vacuum + Sewing, says a high-quality robot vacuum can last from three to five years or more with regular maintenance and care. She recommends regularly emptying the brush roll and bin and cutting out any hair that is tangled in the brushes, and regularly cleaning and drying the filter, if your robot also acts as mop. It's also an excellent idea to clean the charging contacts and sensors on the robot or dock occasionally with a soft cloth. Then, simply recharge and refill the robot as needed for your next cleaning session.