The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
Some have a small bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping feature, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every floor we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them an ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. cheap robot vacuum 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. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots employ 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 major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
cheap robot vacuum tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones will cost less to replace. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like stairs, and avoid hitting furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller like those found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name implies robot vacuums are created to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also deliver better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can mop carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's slow to map out rooms and can be prone to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other best-buy selections.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in perfect condition. It is still necessary to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and 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. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for around two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac is charging, you can also opt for a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they're low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second choice and has the same performance, but costs around 25% less.