Corine Ortiz

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide under furniture, such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a great job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a powerful docking station that automates maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we tested.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those who have sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're just about the same as normal conversations at home.

For the best automatic vacuum cleaner mix of usability and power Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews; ai-db.science, and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't perform its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. This is why the Best robot vacuum uk robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the whole home.

Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while larger ones will cost less to replace. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Some premium robots like 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 your sessions and can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot cleaner vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Others allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs choose one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some smaller models. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris once or twice a week, too. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.

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

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.

If you want a cheaper option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but the cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuum with mop vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in perfect condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.

To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges, you can also choose one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically re-fill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25 percent less.