How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't require advanced features such as mapping and aren't worried about emptying your bin every 60 to 90 days A basic robot vacuum is likely to be the best choice the best choice for you. Pick a model that has clean and tidy base that is compatible with voice assistants.

It excels at picking up dirt, clumps of pet hair and cat litter on tile floors, hardwood floors and carpeting that is lower-pile better than any other robo vacuum we've tried. It also maps and set virtual no-go zones for rooms and areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum cleaner can assist you in keeping up with the pet fur, dust and dander that accumulates on your floors every day. It also can reduce the frequency you have to clean your floors, saving your time and small effort. The best models have powerful suction, which will tackle most messes with ease and leave your house cleaner.

You can cover a larger area by using a robot vacuum and mop, which is especially useful if you have an extensive home. Find models that have an water reservoir built into its chassis or as a separate item that you can swap out when the vacuuming is finished. It will need to be filled and empty in order to complete the task.

In a perfect world it would be ideal to clean your floors first before using your robot vacuum to stop it from hitting anything. In most homes, however, this is not possible or desirable. Thankfully, most models allow you to use a smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot will detect and avoid. Some models have no-go zones which you can use to mark areas you don't want it to access, such as children rooms or a pile of cords for your device in the corner.

This model is a great option if you're looking for a simple robot cleaner without all the bells and whistles. It's quiet, it is able to work on hard floors and carpets with low pile and can be programmed via the app to vacuum and mop at your own convenience. It's got a long battery life, which can last for up to 180 minutes before it needs to recharge.

2. Easy to operate

In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They make use of sensors, lasers, and cameras to move and collect dust, pet hair and food crumbs from tiles, hard floors and hardwood. Many have boundary strips to help them stay within the walls of a room, while more expensive models can be set to automatically wake up and begin cleaning at a scheduled time. Certain models come with fall detection technology that helps them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.

Look for models that you can control from your couch via voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also search for Wi-Fi-connected models that allow you to start cleaning sessions from anywhere via an app. You may prefer an option with a long-lasting battery, as well as a large dust bin, depending on the size of your home.

Some robot vacuums can double as mops, utilizing reservoirs of water to clean your floors. This is ideal for mopping, small but not great for tough messes like pet poop and other wet spills. You can pick hybrids that have a removable microfiber mopping pad, or a self-emptying version that lets you go for up to 60 days before emptying the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots employ advanced mapping technology to create a precise map as they clean. This helps them avoid hitting furniture and tripping on cords or chair legs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however it allows your robot to get a complete understanding of the layout of your home and knows where to move when the battery runs out.

The majority of robots allow you to create virtual barriers. This can be done via an application or even physical boundary strips. This allows you to block off zones that you don't want your robot venture into, so it can concentrate its attention on the areas and rooms that require the most attention.

Many robots also have the ability to automatically navigate to different floors based on the type of floor they're cleaning, whether that's changing between carpet and hard flooring or focusing on particular areas of your home, like baseboards and corners. In our tests it was a great feature that helped improve their pick-up scores for both carpeting that is low-pile and hardwood. But, it's still essential to put away loose cords and furniture before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't become stuck or come into contact with something it shouldn't.

4. Remote Control

Most robot vacuums come with WiFi capabilities and can be controlled using voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many connect to smart home systems and create an outline of your space after each cleaning session, so that they can "learn" your layout and devise more efficient routes for future runs. Some come with obstacle avoidance built in that prevents them from damaging furniture and getting stuck on objects like loose charging cables or pet hair.

The majority of robots come with a remote control that you can use to move them around your house. However, many can be controlled via an app for mobile devices that comes with additional options. You can usually set multiple cleaning schedules, create a list of favorite rooms and even manually guide your robot to certain areas by using directions on the screen.

Certain models have zones that are not allowed. These are virtual barriers you can create in the app to prevent the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for children or dog beds and dishes). Some apps let you draw a map of your house and provide detailed information on the floors. The app on our top choice Roborock S7+, the Roborock S7+, has many useful options to help you tidy your home, however its interface isn't as polished and elegant as those from iRobot and Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

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

The majority of robot vacuums detect objects, however the iRobot J7 has advanced features like "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These features can make your life easier (although one of our test bots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you want to take your home maintenance even further opt for a robotic mop that comes with a tank of water that can be filled and then empty.

While none of the models we tested could match the dirt-picking power of a stand-up model, the majority of them do an excellent job of cleaning hard floors and low-pile carpets. They excel in sweeping up dust and food particles, dirt tracked in and pet hair. They are also able to tackle scattered cat litter, as well as metal screws and nuts. The best robot vacs can easily work their way around furniture and excel at cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively inexpensive and basic model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum can help keep your home clean and tidy without having to do many tasks. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and you can set up no-go areas so that the bagless robot vacuum won't get in the way of your favorite chair or plants. Many of our top picks automatically empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations for you.

The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for weeks or even months at a time, saving you from the tedious chore of manually cleaning your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This lets you enjoy more time doing things you like and reduces the time it takes to clean your floors manually.

In our tests the Q Revo was able to grab small particles such as baking soda and oatmeal and heavier debris like nails and screws made of metal as well as fluffy things like hair of pets. It's not equipped with the advanced mapping and object avoidance features found in our top picks, but it's adequate for the majority of families.

The most appealing aspect of the j7 robot is that it utilizes camera and processor-powered sensors to identify and avoid obstacles like shoes, power cords, socks, and pet waste. This means that you don't need to clean up before using your robot. However, rooms that are cluttered could cause your robot to become stuck and perform a poor job.