Tisha Madsen

Best Robot Vacuums

The top robot vacuums are great in removing dust, pet hair and other messes from carpet and hard floors. However, they leave a lot behind on furniture and baseboards.

Many models can be controlled with apps for smartphones, however others rely on a physical remote for operation. Certain models come with advanced features such as LiDAR navigation, or automatic floor cleaner plans that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems to stay clear of obstacles like furniture, walls and cords. They also have object-avoidance technology to detect pets, toys and other items that could get in the machine's path or get caught in the suction blades. These features will help you save time by stopping your robot from becoming stuck in the couch or behind the bed.

Some of the more advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create the map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They can also spot changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has but it could make a significant difference in the performance and convenience your new appliance.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many scenarios however they can become stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamps or shoes. These robots are cheaper and don't have the ability to recognize when they miss an obstacle. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects from being thrown away.

Even the best buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums can get stuck on larger objects such as large dog poop spills or chairs legs. The robot cleaner won't be able to lift massive objects and may be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly flooring with sludge. If you have a dog or cat, you may need to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots will permit you to create a virtual barrier in the application.

The most advanced robotic vacuums in this list make use of object detection, which works under low and optimal lighting conditions to determine what's right in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting.

Self-Emptying Bases

If you suffer from allergies or just don't have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's trash bin after each cleaning session, self-emptying bins are an excellent feature to look for. They can hold between 45 to 60 days of debris, so they should be emptied more frequently than the onboard bin of the robot.

Several top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature that includes iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base separately, unless it comes with your robot vacuum.

A self-emptying base will not only save you time, but also save you money on dust bags. It will also keep your home clean. Based on the manufacturer the base comes with separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, however they will need to be cleaned out frequently. It is recommended to make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to maintain the highest performance.

The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies follow, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the self-cleaning robot vacuums's performance. Generally speaking the higher the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

Finally, a good machine should have user-friendly features and a user's manual that is simple to read. A well-written guide will aid you in understanding the basics and solve issues that arise, which is essential since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should look for an instruction manual that contains guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able, if you are using an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones or even individual floors. Some apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions, and even control the robot by voice. A number of popular brands let you create customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go areas. The most effective robots allow you to save a cleaning plan and then return to it at any point. If you fail to finish the task the robot will pick up where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums do not have the same power as the full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best combo vacuum robot vacuums are able to last for hours with a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their base, without you needing to be there. In our tests, we found that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for most homes, and will provide enough time to thoroughly clean your entire apartment in one step.

The average dust bin on a robot vacuum will need to be empty every couple of cleans. This is a tedious task, particularly if you have a large house or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums could help you avoid a lot of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own dust bin and clean and dry its filter after every use so it is prepared for its next session of vacuuming.

Most robot vacuums also come with a removable or built-in water tank that allows them to clean your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwood floors that require more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the same level of suction that a traditional vacuum has and often struggle with liquid spills.

If you're looking for a machine that can vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices provide excellent performance and a excellent value. They both have a decent amount of suction and come with a huge self-emptying base station. They may not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots, therefore, they may not be able to tackle your entire home with a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. This inexpensive model does not include a removable or integrated water reservoir. It does however have a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floor. The 11S can't vacuum furniture or stairs but it's an excellent option for keeping your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming by hand.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are fantastic for saving time and effort, but they require daily maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. Select a model with self-emptying bottoms to reduce the number of times you have to manually empty the bin during cleaning sessions. This feature is particularly helpful for pet owners who shed a lot or you tend to forget to mop or sweep.

In addition to the regular features like suction and rotating brushes and suction, many of our top picks also include extra features that can cut down the time needed to clean. Look into a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is easy to put on and stays in position as well as a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to detect dirt areas around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.

Certain models let you set a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles but you'll need to pay more for these features.

Robot vacuums are offered in various prices, from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro which is only suitable for hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 max+ which can vacuum and mop both hardwoods and carpets. Like most things when you're looking for more features you will pay more however, there are options for every budget.

Whether you just need a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washboard while you're away, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move around furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your phone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vac.

Read our guide on robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. Be sure to review our recommended shipping dates so that your holiday delivery is on time.