Adell Turgeon

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other messes around baseboards and corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the robot hoover and mop Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we test.

In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for most homes. These models are quieter, and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They aren't silent, however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning robot mop and vacuum, weekly runs require the maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to determine the best robot vacuum cleaner and mop model for your needs. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floors look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best automatic vacuum and mop robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and can miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Most robots come with cliff sensors, which keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.

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

Take into consideration features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on once or twice a week Also. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

As the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.

All flooring types are covered, and the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two 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.

They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It's slow to map rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated selections.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine state. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.

To maximize the time you can use your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you could opt for one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does 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 category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent 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 have the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.