How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't need advanced features like mapping and you aren't worried about emptying your bin every 60 to 90 days A basic robot vacuum is likely to be the best choice suitable for you. Choose a model with a clean base and can work with voice assistants.

It is the most effective robo-vacuum cleaner with mopping we have tested for picking up dirt and pet hair from tiles, hardwood floors, and low-pile carpeting. It also has the ability to map out and set virtual no go zones for rooms or certain areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot cleaner with mop vacuum can help you keep track of the pet fur, dust and dander that settles on your floor each day. It can also cut down on the frequency you have to do a deeper clean which will save you time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that is able to clean up most mess and leave your home cleaner.

You can cover more area by using a robot vacuum as well as a mop, which is particularly useful if you have a large house. Look for a model that has water reservoirs either integrated into the chassis or as a separate piece that you can swap out when the vacuuming is done. It will need to be emptied and refilled in order to complete the task to complete.

In a perfect world, you'd clean your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to keep it from crashing into objects. But in most homes, this isn't possible or desirable. Thankfully, most models allow you to use a smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot will be aware of and avoid. Some models have no-go zones that you can mark areas you don't wish it to access. For instance an area for children's play or a pile cords in the corner.

If you're looking to buy a basic robot vacuum that doesn't have all the bells and whistles, this model made by the networking company TP-Link is a great choice. It's quiet, works well on hard floors and low-pile carpets and can be scheduled via the app to mop or vacuum at your own convenience. It's got a long battery life of up to 180 minutes.

2. Easy to operate

In general robot vacuums require little input from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors, lasers and cameras to navigate around obstacles and remove food particles, dust and pet hair from hard floors, tile carpets, hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. Many have boundary strips that allow them to stay within a room's walls, while pricier models can be programmed to automatically wake up and start cleaning at a predetermined time. Some models have fall detection technology to help users avoid falling down the stairs or getting caught in cords.

Find models that can be controlled from your couch using voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that permit you to begin cleaning from anywhere with an app. You may prefer an option with a long-lasting battery and an enormous dust bin, Smart cleaning based on the size of your house.

Certain robot vacuums are also mopping. They utilize water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is useful for regular mopping but won't work for tough messes such as pet poop or other spills that get wet. There are hybrids that come with a removable microfiber pad that can be used for mopping, or you can choose self-emptying models that let you go 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots employ advanced mapping technology to create a precise map as they clean. This makes it easier to avoid bumping into furniture and tripping on cords or chairs. This feature is typically only available on higher-end models, but it's one of the most effective ways to ensure your robot has a complete 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 through an application or even physical boundary strips. You can block off areas you don't wish your robot to go into, so that it can focus on the rooms that require the most attention.

A lot of robots are able to automatically navigate to different flooring types depending on the flooring they're cleaning, be it that's switching between hard and carpet or focusing on certain areas of your home, like corners and baseboards. This feature was effective during our tests and helped improve the performance of the vacuum on hardwood flooring and low-pile floor carpeting. It is important to secure any loose cords or furniture before using your robot vacuum, so it doesn't get caught.

4. Remote Control

The majority of robot vacuums have WiFi capabilities and can be controlled with voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many connect to smart cleaning home systems and build an outline of your space after each cleaning session, so they can "learn" your layout and plan more efficient routes for future trips. Certain models have obstacles avoidance built-in to prevent them from causing damage to furniture or 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 via an app on your mobile that offers more options. You can set up a variety of cleaning schedules and create an agenda of your most-loved rooms. You can also manually direct the robot with direction Arrows.

Certain models have zones that are not allowed. These are virtual barriers can be created in the app to stop the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dishes for dogs and dog beds). Other apps allow you to set up an outline of your home and provide the robot with detailed information about your floors. The Roborock S7+ app has many useful features that can aid in cleaning the house. However the interface isn't as sleek as iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire home without stopping for a recharge or to empty their dustbins save time and effort. Some are compatible with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also build an image of your space that allows you to program them to clean certain areas or rooms and avoid obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, however the iRobot j7 offers advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can simplify your life (although one of our test bots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you want to take your home cleaning to the next level, look for a robotic mop that comes with an water tank that can be filled and then empty.

While no of the models we tested could compete with the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum they did a great job of cleaning hard floors and low pile carpets. They excel at sweeping up fine dirt, food crumbs and dirt that has been tracked into. They can also tackle pet litter that is stray and metal screws and nuts. The best robot vacs can easily maneuver through furniture, and they excel at cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively affordable and basic model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

With the proper setup with the right setup, a robot vacuum will aid in keeping your home looking and feeling fresh on a regular basis without much work from you. You can schedule cleanings through the app, and you can set up no-go areas so that the robot won't get in the way of your plants or favorite chair. The majority of our top picks automatically empty their bins and clean their docking stations for you.

The most effective robot vacuums are programmable to clean your floors regularly for weeks or even months at a stretch, which saves you the time and effort of manually mopping or sweeping your floors every single week or every day. This lets you take more time doing the things you like and reduces the time needed to clean your floors manually.

During testing the Q Revo was able to pick up fine particles like oatmeal and baking soda, smart cleaning heavier debris such as nails and screws made of steel as well as fluffy things like hair of pets. It doesn't have the smart mapping and object avoidance features found in our top picks, but it works well enough for the majority of families.

The greatest thing about the j7 is that it makes use of cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords, shoes, socks and pet waste. This means that you don't have to tidy up before using your robot. However, cluttered rooms can cause your robot to get stuck and do poorly.