Caryn Mennell

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist 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 difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.

Other powerful robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. These models are quieter, and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively without knowing how to get around your home. The Best robot vacuum cleaner UK robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best robot hoover was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the all of the home.

Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one will save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically 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 for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once Also. If you notice they are starting to clog up it might be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

robot vacuums best vacuums are designed according to the name to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones such as metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots 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 automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot cleaner robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, choose a model with excellent battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for a model that will automatically return to the base station to charge.

If you want a robovac that does a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10, the best robot vacuum and mop model of this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, excellent hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but it costs 25 percent less.