How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't require advanced features like mapping, and don't mind emptying your dustbin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum is probably suitable for you. Select a model with an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.

It is the most effective robo-vacuum we have tested in picking up dirt and pet hair from tile floors, 360 Robot Vacuum hardwood floors and carpets with low pile. It also has the ability to map out and set virtual no-go zones for rooms or specific areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can help you keep track of the pet fur, dust and dander that accumulates on your floors every day. It can also cut down on the frequency you have to clean your floors and saves your time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that is able to take on the most difficult messes and leave your home sparkling clean.

You can take care of more space by using a robot vacuum and mop, which can be beneficial if you live in a large house. There are models with a tank for water either integrated into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can swap out after vacuuming. It will have to be filled and empty, so it's an extra task to complete.

In a perfect world you would clean your floors before using your robot vacuum to prevent it from crashing into anything. In most homes, however, this is not possible or desirable. Fortunately, the majority of models allow you to use a smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot will see and avoid. Some models include no-go areas that you can mark areas you don't want the robot to enter. For instance the child's room or a pile of cords in the corner.

If you're looking for a basic robot vacuum without all the bells and bells, this model from the company that makes networking TP-Link is a great choice. It's quiet, it is able to work on hard floors and carpets with low pile and can be programmed through the app to mop and vacuum at your convenience. It's got a long battery life, which can last for up to 180 minutes before needing to recharge.

2. Easy to operate

Robot vacuums typically require very little from you. They use navigation tools like sensors and lasers to maneuver around obstacles and remove dust, food crumbs and pet hair from hard flooring, tile carpets, and hardwood. Many have boundary strips to help them stay within a room's walls, while more expensive models can be set to automatically wake up and begin cleaning at a set time. Some even come with fall detection technology that prevents falling down the stairs or getting caught in electrical cords.

If you want to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of your couch, search for models that integrate voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also choose Wi-Fi models that permit you to begin cleaning from anywhere with an app. You may prefer one with a long-lasting battery and a large dustbin, depending on the size of your home.

Some robot vacuums double as mops, using reservoirs of water to wash your floor. This is helpful for regular mopping but won't be effective for messes that are more difficult to clean, like pet poop, or other wet spills. You can find hybrids with a removable microfiber pad that can be used for mopping, or you can choose an auto-emptying model that lets you go 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Certain robots utilize advanced mapping technology to create a precise map as they clean. This helps them avoid hitting furniture and tripping on cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however it allows your 360 robot vacuum to be aware of the layout of your home and to know where it should go when the battery runs out.

Most robots let you create virtual barriers. This can be done via an app or physically-based boundary strips. You can block off areas that you don't want your robot to enter to allow it to concentrate on the rooms that need the most attention.

A lot of robots are able to automatically navigate to different floors depending on the surface they're cleaning, whether they're switching between carpet and hard flooring or focusing on specific areas of your home, like corners and baseboards. This feature proved to be effective in our tests and enhanced the performance of the vacuum on hardwood flooring and carpet flooring with low pile. It's nevertheless important to tuck away loose cords and furniture before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get stuck or come into contact with something it shouldn't.

4. Remote Control

Almost all robot vacuums are WiFi-connected and work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow users to control them with voice commands or through your smartphone. Many connect to smart home systems that create a map of your space after each cleaning session so they can "learn" your layout and plan more efficient routes for future trips. Some have obstacle avoidance features built in that prevents them from damaging furniture and getting stuck on things such as loose charging cables or pet hair.

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

Some models offer no-go zones, which are virtual barriers that you can set up in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog bowls and beds). Other apps let you make the map of your house and provide the robot with detailed information about your floors. The app we ranked as our top pick, the Roborock S7+, has a lot of useful options to help you clean your home, but its interface isn't as polished as the ones from iRobot and shark ez robot vacuum.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire home without stopping to recharge or emptying their trash bins save time and effort. Some are compatible with smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also draw a map of the space for you to program them for certain areas or rooms and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, but the iRobot j7 comes with advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can simplify your life (although one of our test bots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you're looking to push your home maintenance to the next level, look for a robotic mop that has a tank of water that you fill and empty yourself.

While none of the models we tested compete with the power of a stand-up vacuum they all do a great job at cleaning carpets and hard floors. They are great at sweeping up fine dust and food dust, tracked-in dirt, and pet hair. They can also handle nuts and screws made of metal and the stray cat litter. The top robot vacuums can clean edges and corners and can even work on furniture. Eufy 11S is a relatively inexpensive and basic model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

With the right setup with the right setup, a robot vacuum will aid in keeping your home looking and feeling cleaner every day without much work from you. You can schedule cleanings through the app and set up no-go zones to ensure that your robot doesn't damage your plants or your favourite chair. Many of our top picks empty their dustbins and clean their docking station.

The most effective robot vacuums are programmable to clean your floors regularly for weeks or months at a stretch, making it easier to save time and 360 Robot vacuum effort of manually sweeping or mopping your floors each week or even every day. This allows you to take more time doing the things you enjoy and reduces the time needed to clean your floors manually.

In our tests the Q Revo was able to pick up fine particles like oatmeal and baking soda, heavier debris such as metal screws and nails and even fluffy matter such as hair of pets. It isn't equipped with the advanced mapping and object-avoiding features found in our top picks, but is still a great option for families with children.

The j7's best feature is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords as well as socks and shoes as well as pet waste. This means that you don't need to tidy up before you can run your robot, but clutter in your home can mean the robot may become stuck and not perform the job as well.