A Robot Vacuum Success Story You'll Never Be Able To

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a small trash bin which they empty themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than the physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.

Other powerful robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on every type of floor we tested.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, making them a better option for those with hearing issues. They're still not quiet, but they're just about the same as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer time to run and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to determine the best model to meet your needs. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews (go to the website) and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum with mop vacuum can't perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds 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 accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss many debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.

A number of the robots I tested utilized objects recognition to navigate through things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best automatic vacuum and mop. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a zone, room or entire home.

Other features worth looking into include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft and automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small, disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some of the top models, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that need it most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad too, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers like those found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are designed, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, as well as larger ones like metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also get better pickup results on low-pile carpets than manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best automatic vacuum and mop choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It's a bit slow to map rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top selections.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect condition. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.

Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good guideline is to expect a model to last for around two cleaning sessions if you run it on the highest power setting. This is not as long as a full-sized 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, you can opt for an automatic vacuum and mop robot model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're low.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25 percent less.