How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't need advanced features like mapping and you don't mind emptying your dustbin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum is probably the Best robot mop and vacuum combo choice for you. Pick a model that has an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.

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

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can keep clean of the dust, pet hair and dander that accumulates on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It can also cut down on the frequency at which you have to do a deeper clean, saving your time and effort. The best models have powerful suction that can clean up most mess with ease and leave your home clean.

You can cover more area with a robot vacuum and mop, which is especially beneficial if you live in an extensive home. Choose one that has an water reservoir integrated into the chassis or as a separate item that you swap in when the vacuuming is done. You'll need to empty and refill it, though, so this is an additional chore that requires some extra effort on your part.

In a perfect world, you'd be able to clean your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to keep it from hitting things. But in most homes, this isn't feasible or desirable. The majority of models let you use an app for your smartphone to build virtual barriers the robot can detect. Some have no-go zones which you can use to flag areas that you don't want it to access, such as children' rooms or a pile of cords for best robot Mop and vacuum combo your device in the corner.

This model is a great option for those looking for a basic robot cleaner that does not have all the bells. It's quiet, it can be used on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile and can be programmed via the app to vacuum and mop at your leisure. It's got a long battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.

2. Easy to Operate

In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors lasers, cameras and sensors to navigate around obstacles and remove dust, food crumbs and pet hair from hard floors, tile carpets, and hardwood. Many models come with boundary strips to help them remain in a room. More expensive models can be programmed to wake up at a specific time and begin cleaning. Some models include fall detection technology that helps them avoid falling down stairs or becoming tangled in cords.

If you want to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of your couch, look for models that can work with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that permit you to start cleaning from anywhere with an app. You might want to choose an option with a long-lasting battery and an enormous dust bin, based on the size of your home.

Some robot vacuums can also be mops. They make use of water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is ideal for mopping, but not for difficult messes such as pet poop or other wet spills. There are hybrids that have a removable microfiber pad for mopping, or choose an auto-emptying model that lets you go 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 as they clean. This allows them to avoid bumping into furniture or tripping over cords or chair legs. This feature is typically only available on more expensive models, but it's one of the most effective ways to ensure your robot has a full understanding of the layout of your house and can determine where to go when it's running out of battery.

Most robots allow you to create virtual barriers. This can be done using an application or even physical boundary strips. This allows you to create zones that you do not want your robot to enter, so that it can focus its attention on rooms and spaces that need the most attention.

A lot of robots can also automatically switch floors based on the type of flooring they are cleaning. This can be achieved by switching from carpet to hard flooring or by focusing on particular areas of your home like corners and baseboards. In our tests this was a helpful feature that helped improve their pick-up scores for both carpeting that is low-pile and hardwood. It is important to secure any loose cords or furniture prior to using your robot vacuum so that it doesn't become caught.

4. Remote Control

Almost all robot vacuums are WiFi-connected and work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to enable you to control them via voice commands or via your smartphone. Many robot vacuums connect to smart home systems and generate an outline of the area they clean after each cleaning session. This lets them "learn" the way your home is laid out and to plan more efficient routes during future cleaning sessions. Some also have built-in obstacle avoidance that stops them from bumping into and damaging furniture or getting stuck on things like charging cables that are loose or shoe laces, as well as pet hair.

The majority of robots come with a remote control that can be used to guide them around your house. Most robots can be controlled via a mobile application that comes with more features. It is possible to create multiple cleaning schedules, make the list of rooms you like and even manually guide your robot vacuum mop to specific areas using directional arrows on the screen.

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

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire house without stopping for a recharge or to empty their bins save time and effort. Some work with smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also make an image of your living space and allow you to program them to clean certain areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums detect objects, however the iRobot J7 has advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can make your life easier (although one of our test robots did "eat" two socks). If you're trying to improve your home's maintenance, you should consider a robot mop with water containers that you can fill and empty.

While none of the models we tested match the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum most do an admirable job of cleaning carpets with low pile and hard floors. They excel at sweeping up fine dirt, food crumbs, and tracked-in dirt. They can also tackle pet litter that is stray and metal screws and nuts. The best robot vacuum cleaner for pet hair robot vacs can effortlessly work through furniture, and they are great at cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively affordable and basic model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum can help keep your home clean and tidy without you having to do much work. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and you can designate no-go areas so that your robot doesn't step on your plants or sit on your favorite chair. The majority of our top picks empty their dustbins for you and clean their docking stations.

The best robot vacuums can be programmed to keep your floors clean for weeks or months at a time, thereby making it easier to save time and effort of manually mopping or sweeping your floors every week or day. This lets you spend more time on things you enjoy and cuts down on the amount of time your floors need to be cleaned manually.

In our tests, Q Revo was able to grab small particles such as baking soda and oatmeal. It also grabbed heavier particles such as nails and screws made of metal, as well as fluffy hair. It isn't equipped with the smart mapping and object-avoiding features of our top picks, but is still a good choice for families with children.

The best 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 you can run your robot, but clutter in your home can mean your bot may get stuck and not do the job as well.