The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small trash bin which they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.

In addition to 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 Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every flooring type test we conducted.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for homes that are 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 normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your requirements. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. Because of this, the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot vacuum and mop navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots come with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by zone, room or entire house.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on stubborn stains.

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

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robotic mop and vacuum robot vacuums will take tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score higher than 95 percent. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that could 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 Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but the cost is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine in good condition. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can get out of your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you, you can select an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot 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 class and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.