The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a small trash bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin design of the square 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 at cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris in every floor type test we ran.

A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not the same volume as conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning robot mop and vacuum requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't perform its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a area, room or the all of the home.

Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that can detect carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will mean less frequent emptying while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with 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 also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you intend to make use of your good robot vacuum vacuum to clean your rugs choose a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they're getting clogged, it may be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated equipped with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation for reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but it is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuum cleaners best vacuums are made to let you go to work while they keep your floors looking spick and span. You'll still need to manually clean your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.

To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, look for the model that has a high battery life. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot that does a bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're low.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pickup, great hair pickup and tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too costly for some. The second-placed model is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25% less.