Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums excel in removing pet hair, dust and other messes from hard and carpet floors. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.

Many models can be controlled with a smartphone app, but others rely on the use of a physical remote to operate. Certain models come with advanced features like LiDAR navigation, or editable floor robot plans.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that can avoid obstacles like furniture, walls and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to identify toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can save you time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck in the sofa or behind the bed and making it able to complete its room cleaning tasks more efficiently.

Some of the more advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect any changes to your living space, for instance if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature every robot has, but it can significantly improve the efficiency and comfort of your new device.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. These can work well in many situations however, they can become entangled with objects that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. They are also less expensive and do not have the capability of learning when an obstacle is missed. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums will get caught up on larger items, like large pet poop or chair legs. If the object is too large, the robotic cleaner may not be capable of lifting it and will be forced to push it to the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you may need to block their route by using a furniture or box. Some robots even permit you to create a virtual barrier using the application.

The most advanced robotic vacuums listed here utilize object detection in low and optimal light conditions to see what's in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology can detect up to 30 kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting.

Self-Emptying Bases

If you suffer from allergies or simply don't have the time to manually empty the dust bin of a robot vacuum after every cleaning session, self-emptying bases are an excellent feature to look for. These units can hold up to 60 days' worth of dust. They need to be emptying less frequently than the dustbin on the robot.

This feature is available on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have to purchase the self emptying base on your own unless it's included in your robot.

Self-emptying bases will not only save your time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also help keep your home clean. Based on the model the base comes with separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, but they might need to be cleaned out periodically. You should always make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to ensure the highest performance.

Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies adhere to, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the device's performance. In general the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.

A good robot vacuum cleaner review should also have features that are easy to use and a user's guide that is simple to follow. A well-written manual can help you learn about the basics and troubleshoot problems that arise, which is essential as these machines aren't cheap. Find a comprehensive guide that explains setup, maintenance and troubleshooting tips. You should be able if you are using a mobile application to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up by zones, rooms or even individual floor surfaces. Some apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions, and even control the robot with a voice. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones and make customized cleaning plans. The best robots allow you to save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you like. If you fail to finish the task, the robot will resume where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums might not have the same power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums but their motors are energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for a long time on a single charge of batteries. They can also recharge themselves and resume cleaning automatically when they are at their base, without you having to escort them back. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery lifespan is perfect for the majority of homes and will give you enough time to tidy your entire apartment in one go.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a difficult job, especially if you have a large home or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums can help you avoid a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own bin and blow and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next cleaning session.

Many robot vacuums also have a built-in or removable water tank that lets them mop hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when you have tiled floors or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention in between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping robots generally don't have the same amount of suction as traditional vacuums have and are more prone to squishy with spills of liquid.

You should think about a machine that can vacuum and mop at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both top-quality and provide an excellent value. They all have a high suction level and come with a large self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, and therefore they won't be able to tackle your entire house on one charge.

Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't equipped with an integrated or removable reservoir for water, however, it has a nice level of suction (2,500 Pascals, or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S can't vacuum stairs or furniture, but it's still an excellent option for keeping your floors clean between mopping and vacuuming sessions.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums are able to save you time and effort, they require some daily maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. Choose a model that has self-emptying bottoms to reduce the amount of time you have to manually empty the bin when cleaning. This feature is particularly beneficial in the event that your pet sheds often or if it's an habit to not remember to sweep up and mop.

In addition to basic features such as suction and rotating brushes and suction, many of our top picks also come with additional features that will cut down the time needed to clean. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with mopping pads that can be removed, which are easy to attach and remains on well or a vacuum that has LiDAR navigation that can detect dirt spots around your home, so it can be slowed down to thoroughly clean them.

Some models allow you to set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the auto vacuum cleaner with your voice. Some models have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles but you'll need to pay for these premium features.

You can find robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on floors made of wood to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+, which can mop and vacuum both carpeting and hardwoods. As with everything else that you purchase, if you require more features you will pay more however, there are options to suit every budget.

Whether you just need a basic bump-and-roll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washboard while you're away, we've got the ideal robot cleaner Vacuum bot for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move around furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vac.

For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic vacuum cleaner on sale mops as well as our buying guide to the best robotic vacuums. Be sure to review our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery is on time.