10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has Regarding Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home more efficiently.

1. Power

With 8,000Pa of suction power, our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square 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 is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.

Other high-powered robots that are listed besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test we ran.

In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for most homes. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent, but they're only about the same as normal conversations at home.

For the best mix of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users 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. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.

A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate around things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.

Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop utilize mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums have an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. They also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Find a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot automatic vacuum cleaner to clean rugs choose one that can perform both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Do this once or every week. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of 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 docking stations that do maintenance on their own and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping against obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are made to let you get moving with your day while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.

Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can opt for a model that automatically returns to the base station to charge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a little bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the best 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 also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and web site 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 an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25 percent less.