Best Robot Vacuums

The top 5 robot vacuum robot vacuums robot do an excellent job of removing pet hair and other debris on hard floors and carpet. They leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.

Many models can be controlled by a smartphone app, but others rely on the use of a physical remote to operate. Some models come with advanced features like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and floor vacuum robot maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like furniture, walls and cords. They are equipped with object-avoidance technology that detect toys, pet foods, and other clutter which could block the path of the machine or be taken up by the suction. These features can help you save time in cleaning by preventing your robot from getting stuck under the couch or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its room cleanup more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create a map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes in your living space, like when you move an item of furniture. This isn't something every robot has but it can make a huge difference in the performance and convenience your new device.

A majority of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. They are useful in many situations however they can become stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamps or shoes. These robots are cheaper and do not have the ability to recognize when an obstacle is missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items, like large pet poop or chair legs. The robotic cleaner will not be able to lift massive objects and may be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly scratches on your floors. If you have pets or cats, you might have to block their path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the application).

The advanced robotic vacuums listed here employ object detection to determine what is in their path even in dim lighting. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify up to 30 kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Basses

Whether you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after every cleaning session, a self-emptying base is an excellent feature to look for. These units can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. They must be cleaned less frequently than the robot's dustbin.

Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature such as iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it is included in your robot.

Self-emptying bases will not just save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also keep your home spotless. Depending on the brand, some bases have separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, however they will need to be cleaned out periodically. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.

Another aspect to consider is the amount of suction power a robot has. There isn't a standard power scale that is used by all companies, however some offer Pascal (Pa), which gives you a sense of how the robot performs. Generally speaking the higher the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.

Finally, a good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user manual that's easy to understand. A well-written guide can assist you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot problems that arise, which is essential as these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out the manual that provides instructions on maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able, when using an app on your mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones or even individual floors. Some apps let you set up specific cleaning times, and even control the robot sweeper by voice. A few popular brands also allow you to set virtual no-go zones and create custom cleaning plans. The best robots will let you save a cleaning schedule and return to it at any time. If you fail to finish the task, the robot will resume where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums do not have the same power as the full-sized corded upright and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. This is why the top robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their base, without you needing to be there. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to thoroughly clean your entire apartment in one go.

The typical dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be emptied every few cleans. This is a tedious task, especially when you have a big home or a lot of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own trash bin and even blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for its next vacuuming session.

The majority of robot floor cleaner vacuums have a built-in or removable water tank that lets them clean your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwood floors that require more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don't have the same level of suction that a traditional vacuum has 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 choices are both high-quality and offer great value. Both models have a high level of suction, and they come with a large self-emptying station. They do not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, and so they might not be able to tackle your entire home in one charge.

Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an integrated or removable reservoir for water, however, it does come with an impressive suction level (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 choice to keep your floors clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they also require some daily maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. For example, choose a model with a self-emptying bin to cut down on the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is especially useful when your pet sheds a lot or have a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.

Many of our top picks have additional features that help reduce cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Think about a multi-surface cleaner that has a a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and holds well as well as a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that can detect dirt spots in your home, so it slows down to thoroughly clean them.

Some models allow you to set a timer or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with your voice. Some models have advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and overcome obstacles. However, you'll have to pay a premium for these features.

Robot vacuums are available at different costs, from $100 for the ILife V3s pro which is only suitable for hardwood floors, up to $1,600 for the Roborock Q5 maximum+, which can mop and vacuum both hardwoods and carpets. Like most things, if you want more features, it will cost more but there are options for every budget.

We have the best robot vacuum for tile floors robot vacuums for you, whether you need a basic bump and roll vac or one with intelligent mapping that can clean your washing board while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's got wifi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.

Read our guide on robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Don't forget to check out our recommended shipping dates so that your delivery for the holidays is on time.