The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models mop and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more efficiently.

1. Power

With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to handle the worst dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.

Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a powerful docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.

A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those who have sensitive ears. These units are not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot perform its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot vacuum that mops navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a area, room or the whole home.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one can save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best automatic vacuum robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to begin, pause, and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Certain robovacs permit you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that can perform dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to conduct a clean-up cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot vacuum that vacuums and mops's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

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

Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own, and app features that make them incredibly user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it an ideal choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're seeking a lower-cost option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It is slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but the price is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in pristine state. You'll still have to manually clean your home every so often, but robovacs will help you maintain a basic standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.

Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for robot vacuum reviews around two full cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you, you can choose one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robovac with a variety of features in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best robot cleaner model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops when they run out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a a small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but is priced 25 percent less.