How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't require advanced features such as mapping and don't mind emptying your dustbin every 60 to 90 days A basic robot mop vacuum combo vacuum is probably for you. Select a model with clean and tidy base that is compatible with voice assistants.

It is the best vacuum we have tested at getting rid of dirt and pet hair from hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpeting. It also maps and set virtual no-go zones in rooms or areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum is able to stay on top 10 Robot vacuums of the dust, pet hair and dander that build up on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It can also cut down on how often you need to do a deeper clean and saves you time and effort. The best models come with powerful suction, which can take on the majority of messes and leave your home cleaner.

A robot vacuum that also mop can help you achieve more coverage by using just one machine. This can be particularly beneficial for homes with a large area. There are models that has a water tank built into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can swap out after vacuuming. You'll have to empty it and fill it up, however it's an additional task that requires a little extra work on your part.

In ideal world, you'd clear your floors before you used your robot vacuum to prevent it from hitting things. However, in the majority of homes, this isn't possible or desirable. Fortunately, the majority of models let you use your smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot can be aware of and avoid. Some models have no-go zones, which you can flag areas you don't want the robot to be allowed to enter. For instance an area for children's play or a pile 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 good choice. It's quiet, it can be used on hard floors and carpets with low pile and can be programmed using the app to vacuum and mop at your leisure. It's got a long battery life that can last up to 180 minutes before needing to recharge.

2. Simple to operate

In general robot vacuums require little input from you. They use navigation tools like sensors and lasers to maneuver through obstacles and collect food particles, dust and pet hair from hard floors, tile, hardwood and low-pile carpets. Many models have boundary strips that allow them to remain inside the room. The more expensive models can be programmed to get up at a particular time and begin cleaning. Some even come with fall detection technology that can help them avoid falling down the stairs or getting caught in electrical cords.

If you want to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of a couch, you should look for models that can work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also search for Wi-Fi-connected models that allow you to begin cleaning from any location using an app. You might want to choose a model that has a long-lasting battery and a large dustbin, depending on the size of your home.

Certain robot vacuums are also mopping. They utilize water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is great for mopping, but not for difficult messes such as pet poop and other wet spills. You can find hybrids with a removable microfiber pad that can be used for mopping, or you can choose self-emptying models that let you use the device for 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots use advanced mapping technology to create a detailed map of your floorplan as they clean the floor, which makes it easier for them to avoid falling into furniture or tripping over things such as cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however it lets your robot be aware of the layout of your home and know where to go when the battery is out.

If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your house that you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your children's toys or the mess of device cords in the corner), most robots offer some way to create virtual barriers, either with their app or physical boundary strips. This allows you to define areas that you don't want your robot enter, so that it can concentrate its attention on the areas and rooms that require the most attention.

A lot of robots can also automatically switch floors based on the type of floor they are cleaning. This can be accomplished by switching from carpet to hard flooring, Top 10 Robot Vacuums or by paying attention to specific areas of your house like corners and baseboards. In our tests this was a helpful feature that helped improve their performance in picking up hardwood and low-pile carpeting. It's important to tuck away any furniture or cords that are loose before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get caught.

4. Remote Control

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

Most robots come with a remote you can use to control them around your home. However, many can be controlled using an app on your mobile that comes with additional features. You can set up multiple cleaning schedules and make an inventory of your preferred rooms. You can also manually direct the robot by using direction the arrows.

Certain models have no-go zones, which are virtual barriers that you can create in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for children or dog bowls and beds). Some apps let you create a map of your house and provide detailed information about the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has several useful features that can assist you in cleaning your home. However its interface isn't as polished as that from iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that clean your entire home without stopping to recharge or to empty their dustbins save time and effort. Some work with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also create maps of the area that allows you to program them for certain areas or rooms and to avoid obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, but 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 few socks). If you're looking to take your home maintenance to the next level, look for a robotic mop that has a tank of water that can be filled and then empty.

While no of the models we tested could match the ability to pick up dirt of a stand-up vacuum they did a great job cleaning hard floors as well as low pile carpets. They are great in sweeping up dust and food crumbs, tracked-in dirt and pet hair. They are also able to handle metal screws and nuts, as well as the stray cat litter. The top robot vacuums are able to remove dirt from edges and corners and work on furniture. For a basic model that functions by itself and is relatively inexpensive look into the Eufy 11S.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

With the right configuration and the right setup, a robotic vacuum can assist you in keeping your home looking and feeling fresh on a regular basis with minimal effort. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and you can set up no-go areas so that the robot won't get in the way of your plants or sit on your favorite chair. The majority of our top picks empty their trash bins for you and clean their docking stations.

The best robot vacuums are programmable to clean your floors regularly for months or weeks at a stretch, saving you the time and effort of manually sweeping or mopping your floors every week or day. This allows you to spend more time doing things you love and cuts down on the amount of time your floors have to be cleaned manually.

During tests, Q Revo was able to grab small particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also picked up heavier particles such as nails and screws made of metal, as well as fluffy stuff like pet hair. It does not have the intelligent mapping and object-avoiding features found in our top picks but is still a great option for families with children.

The greatest feature of the j7 is that it utilizes camera and processor-powered smarts to recognize and avoid obstacles such as power cords, shoes, socks, and pet waste. This means you don't have to tidy up before running your robot, although cluttered rooms will mean that the robot may become stuck and not be able to do as good a job.