How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

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

It is the best vacuum we have tested in getting rid of dirt and pet hair on tiles, hardwood floors, and low-pile carpeting. It also maps and create virtual no-go zones for Best automatic vacuum rooms and areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can help you keep up with the pet fur, dust and dander that accumulates on your floor every day. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, which will save your time and effort. The most effective models feature powerful suction, which will clean up most mess with ease and leave your house cleaner.

You can cover more area by using a robot vacuum and mop, which can be beneficial if you live in an extensive home. There are models with a water tank either in the chassis itself or as an extra piece that you can swap out after vacuuming. It will have to be emptied and filled in order to complete the task to complete.

In a perfect world it would be ideal to clean your floors first before you use your robot vacuum, preventing it from running into anything. But in most homes, this isn't feasible or desirable. Fortunately, the majority of models allow you to use your smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot can be aware of and avoid. Some have no-go zones which you can use to flag areas that you don't want it be in, like kids rooms or a stack of device cords in the corner.

This model is a great choice if you want a simple robot cleaner without all the bells and whistles. It's quiet and works well on both hard floors and low-pile rugs. It can be scheduled through the app to mop or vacuum at your own convenience. 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 navigational tools such as sensors, lasers, and cameras to move around and collect pet hair, dust and food crumbs off hard floors, tile and hardwood. Many models have boundary strips that allow them to remain inside the room. More expensive models can be programmed to start up at a certain time and start cleaning. Some even come with fall detection technology that can help them avoid falling down the stairs or getting caught in electrical cords.

Look for models that you can control from the comfort of your sofa using voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also choose Wi-Fi models that permit you to begin cleaning anywhere you want using an app. You might want to choose one with a long-lasting battery, as well as a large dust bin, depending on the size of your home.

Some robot vacuums double as Robo Mops, using water reservoirs to clean your floor. This is helpful for regular mopping but won't work for tough messes such as pet poop or other spills that are wet. You can choose hybrids with a removable microfiber mopping pad, or a self-emptying version that allows you to go up to 60 days before emptying the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots employ advanced mapping technology to build a detailed map as they clean. This allows them to avoid bumping into furniture and getting caught on cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models, but it allows your robot to be aware of your home's layout and to know where it should move when the battery runs out.

Most robots allow you to create virtual barriers. This can be done via an app or physical boundary strips. This lets you define areas that you don't want your robot explore, so that it can concentrate its attention on areas that require the most attention.

Many robots also have the ability to automatically navigate to different floorings based on the type of floor they're cleaning, whether that's changing between hard flooring and carpet or focusing on particular areas of your home, like baseboards and corners. This feature proved to be effective in our tests and enhanced the vacuum's performance on both hardwood flooring and low-pile floor carpeting. It is essential to put away any loose cords or furniture prior to using your robot vacuum, to ensure that it doesn't get caught.

4. Remote Control

Almost all robot vacuums robot are WiFi-connected and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow you to control them using voice commands or through your smartphone. Many connect to smart home systems and create maps of your home after each cleaning session, to "learn" your layout and devise more efficient routes for future trips. Some come with obstacles avoidance built-in to prevent them from causing damage to furniture and getting stuck on things such as 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. It is possible to create multiple cleaning schedules, make a list of favorite rooms and even manually guide your robot around specific areas using directional arrows that appear on the screen.

Certain models have no-go zones. These are virtual barriers that you can create in the app to prevent the robot from entering certain areas (like kid's toys or dishes for dogs and dog beds). Other apps allow you to set up a map of your home and provide the robot with detailed information about your floors. The Roborock S7+ app has many useful features to help you clean the house. However, its interface isn't quite as polished as that from iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacs that can work throughout the house without stopping to recharge or empty their dust bins make it easier for you to save time and effort. Some work with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also create a map of the space for you to program them for specific areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, but 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 want to take your home cleaning to the next level opt for a robotic mop that has an water tank that you fill and empty yourself.

While none of the models we tested could beat the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum, they all do a great job at cleaning hard floors and low-pile carpets. They excel at sweeping up fine dirt, food crumbs, and dirt that has been tracked in. They can even tackle some pet litter that is stray and metal screws and nuts. The top robot vacuums can easily work their way around furniture, and they excel at cleaning edges and corners as well. For a basic model that works by itself and is comparatively inexpensive take a look at the Eufy 11S.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum can keep your home clean and tidy without doing many tasks. You can schedule cleanings using the app, and set up no-go areas to ensure that your robot does not walk on your favorite chair or plants. Many of our top picks will empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations.

The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for months or even weeks at a time, removing you from the time-consuming task of manually cleaning your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This allows you to enjoy more time doing things you enjoy, and decreases the time it takes to clean your floors manually.

During testing during testing, Q Revo was able grab fine particles such as baking soda and oatmeal. It also picked up heavier debris like metal screws and nails and fluffy stuff like pet hair. It isn't equipped with the advanced mapping and object-avoiding features of our top picks but is still a great option for families with children.

The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to spot and avoid obstacles such as power cords as well as socks and shoes as well as pet waste. This means you don't have to clean up before running your robot, but messy rooms can mean that your robot could get stuck and not be able to do as well.