20 Fun Details About Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people’s lives, but robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models mop and even climb (small) stairs.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

Our top pick 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 design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.

A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and therefore a better option for those who have sensitive ears. They’re not quiet, but they’re just as loud as a normal conversation at home.

To get the most effective mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can’t accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors that stop them from falling off steps or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying while larger ones will cost less to replace. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for a long time. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that can help them recognize obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid getting into furniture. Others allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to utilize 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 an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it’s time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot’s side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they’re beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also deliver better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance by themselves and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.

If you’re seeking a lower-cost option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It’s slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however it’s much less expensive than our other best-buy picks.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you go about your day while keeping your floors in top state. Although you’ll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean even when you’re away.

To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for about two cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don’t wish to wait while your robovac recharges, you can choose a model that automatically returns to the base station for charging.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one machine that is able to mop as well. Eufy’s X10 is the best model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they’re empty.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it’s not cheap and unless you have a the smallest of homes without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.