The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and even 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 capabilities to aid in navigating your home more effectively.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide under furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

Apart 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 automatically performs maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.

A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they are only about the same as normal conversations at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Assess your flooring, home layout 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 that their carpets and bare floors look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well when it doesn't know how to get around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build 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.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake dog turds and cords, but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.

Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app that monitors cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuums with mop vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Do this once or twice per week. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up it might be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris on your floors. The best ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and 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 scores over 95 percent. The two top-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums are made to let you get on with your life while keeping your floors clean and spick and span. Although you'll need to give your home a manual automatic hoover every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for about two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is smaller than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you could select a model that automatically makes its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.

Its dependable carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it could be too expensive for certain. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.