How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you're willing to live without advanced features such as mapping, and don't mind cleaning the trash bin every 60 days or then, a basic robot vacuum is likely to work for you. Look for an option that is clean and can work with voice assistants.

It excels at picking up dirt, cat litter and pet hair on hardwood floors, tile and carpeting that is lower-pile better than any other vacuum we've tested. It can also map and set virtual no-go zones in rooms or areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can help you keep up with the dust, pet fur and dander that collects on your floor every day. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, which will save your time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that can clean up most mess and leave your home sparkling clean.

Choosing a robot vacuum that also mop will allow you to cover more ground by using just one machine. This can be particularly beneficial in larger homes. Choose a model that has a water reservoir either in the chassis or as a separate piece that you can swap out when the vacuuming is finished. It will need to be emptied and refilled, so it's an extra task to complete.

In a perfect world, you'd clean your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to keep it from crashing into objects. But in most homes, this isn't feasible or desirable. The majority of models let you make use of an app on your smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot will detect. Some models have no-go zones, which you can flag areas you don't want the robot to enter. For instance the child's room or a pile of cords in the corner.

This model is a good option for those looking for a basic robot cleaner that does not have all the bells. It's quiet and works well on both hard floors and low-pile rugs. It can be scheduled through the app to vacuum or mop at your own convenience. It comes with a battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.

2. Easy to Operate

Robot vacuums generally need only minimal effort from you. They use navigational tools such as sensors lasers, cameras, and sensors to maneuver and collect dust, pet hair and food crumbs from hard floors, tiles and hardwood. A lot of them have boundary strips that aid in staying within a room's walls, while pricier models can be set to automatically wake up and begin cleaning at a predetermined time. Some models have fall detection technology to help them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.

If you're looking to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of your couch, look for models that integrate voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that allow you to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on the size of your house is, you might prefer one with a long battery life and a spacious dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying frequently.

Some robot vacuums can double as mops and use reservoirs of water to clean your floors. This is useful for regular mopping but won't work for tough messes like pet poop, or other wet spills. There are hybrids that have a removable microfiber pad that can be used for mopping, or you can choose self-emptying models that let you use the device for 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots utilize advanced mapping technology to create a detailed map of your floorplan while they clean, making it easier for them to avoid bumping mindlessly into furniture or falling over things like chair legs or cords. This feature is only available on higher-end models however, it lets your robot be aware of the layout of your home and knows where to move when the battery runs out.

If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your home you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your kids' toys or the tangled mess of device cords in the corner) Most robots provide the possibility of creating virtual barriers, either with their apps or a set of physical boundary strips. You can block off areas that you don't wish your robot to access, so that it can concentrate on the rooms that need the most attention.

Many robots will also automatically switch floors based on the flooring they are cleaning. This can be done by changing from carpet to hard flooring, or by paying attention to particular areas of your home like corners and baseboards. This feature was helpful in our tests and improved the performance of the vacuum on hardwood flooring and carpeting for floors with low-pile. It is essential to put away any loose cords or furniture before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get caught.

4. Remote Control

Almost all yeedi robot vacuum vacuums have WiFi connectivity and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow users to control them with voice commands or via your smartphone. Many connect to smart home systems and build a map of your space after each cleaning session so they can "learn" your layout and design more efficient routes for future runs. Some have built-in obstacle avoidance that stops them from bumping into furniture and damaging it or bissell Robot vacuum getting stuck on things like loose charging cables, bissell robot vacuum shoe laces and hair from pets.

Most robots come with a remote that you can use to control them around your home. However, many can be controlled using a mobile app, which gives you more features. You can typically set multiple cleaning schedules, make an inventory of your favorite rooms and even manually guide your robot to certain areas by using directions on the screen.

Some models have zones that are not allowed. These are virtual barriers you can create within the app to block the robot from entering specific areas (like toys for kids or dog beds and dishes). Certain apps let you create an outline of your home and provide more detailed information about the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has a number of useful features that will help you clean the house. However the interface isn't as polished as that from iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robotic vacs that can clean all over your home without stopping to recharge or empty their trash bins can save you time and energy. Some robot vacuums are compatible with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also create an outline of your space and allow you to program them to clean certain rooms or areas and beware of obstacles.

Most robot vacs have some degree of detection of objects however, higher-end models such as the iRobot J7 have advanced features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that can really make your life easier (although our test bot did "eat" a pair of socks). If you want to take your home maintenance even further, look for a robotic mop that comes with a water tank that can be filled and then empty.

While none of the models we tested compete with the power of a stand-up vacuum, the majority of them do an excellent job of cleaning carpets and hard floors. They excel at picking up fine dirt, food crumbs, and tracked-in dirt. They are also able to tackle stray cat litter and metal screws and nuts. The most effective robot vacuums are able to easily maneuver through furniture, and they excel at cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively affordable and basic model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A Bissell robot vacuum vacuum can help keep your home clean and tidy without you having to do much work. You can schedule cleanings through the app and set up zones that are not allowed to enter so that your robot doesn't damage your plants or ruin your favorite chair. The majority of our top picks empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations.

The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for months or even weeks at a time, removing you from the time-consuming task of manually sweeping and mopping your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This lets you have more time to do the things you love and reduces the amount of time your floors have to be cleaned manually.

During tests the Q Revo was able to capture fine particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also snatched up larger particles like nails and screws made of steel, as well as fluffy stuff like pet hair. It does not have the intelligent mapping and object-avoiding features found in our top picks but is still a great option for most families.

The j7's best feature is its ability to recognize and avoid obstacles like power cords, shoes and socks and pet waste. This means that you don't need to clean up after using your robot. However, rooms that are cluttered could cause your robot to become stuck and perform poorly.