The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

Other high-powered robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair and muddy footprints and other debris in every flooring type test we conducted.

A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for the majority of homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and therefore a better option for those who have sensitive ears. They're not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of power and usability, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Assess your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We recommend looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively without knowing how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.

A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.

Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last for a long time. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for Robot Vacuum Reviews control via voice. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, like the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to clean the areas that require it the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll have better results cleaning by having your robot cleaner with mop vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It is less likely to tangle from pet hair or robot vacuum reviews other particles. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it might be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

Like the name suggests robot vacuums are made to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuum that mops ones pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

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

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most challenging spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow at mapping out rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual automatic hoover every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a baseline level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.

Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in an apartment with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25 percent less.