Tammara Osborn

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home more effectively.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on all floors we test.

A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're just as loud as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best robot vacuum and mop combination of power and efficiency. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the most recent models. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot do its job without knowing how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.

A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the all of the home.

Consider features such as sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while bigger ones will cost less to replace. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to start or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to define no-go zones and rooms to ensure that they only clean those areas which need the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum cleaner uk vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for a robot with an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to examine the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it might be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are designed according to the name to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well in larger pieces of metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

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

Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The Best robot vacuum cleaner UK robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in top condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.

Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac recharges you can opt for one that automatically returns to the base station to charge.

If you're looking for a robot that does a little amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too costly for certain. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25 percent less.