The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

With 8,000Pa of suction power, our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology allows for precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.

Other powerful robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that automates maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free 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 with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, which makes them a better option for people who have sensitive hearing. They're not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.

To find the ideal balance of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the most power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.

Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tank for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs let you define no-go zones and rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum with mop vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed 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 larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also have better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.

All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our best robotic mop and vacuum-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot vacuum best is among the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuum reviews vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine condition. It is still necessary to manually clean your home every so often but robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.

Find a robovac equipped with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit for your robovac to recharge, you can choose an option that will automatically return to the base station for charging.

If you want a robovac that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one robot vacuum uk that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.