The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many lives However, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

With 8,000Pa of suction power Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that automates 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.

In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them the ideal choice for people who have sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're just about the same as a normal conversation at home.

To find the ideal balance of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to choose the right model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the best robots use sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

LiDAR is used 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 less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an intuitive app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the whole home.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones will save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor the progress of cleaning, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, like the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose one that 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 comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they're beginning to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

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

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95 percent. Our two best robot hoover-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 perform maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that suck up the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot cleaner is one of the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect state. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, choose an advancé with a long battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac recharges you could select one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle-free, and a an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.