What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A good robotic vacuum can help you stay on top of pet hair, lint and dust on a regular basis. Many robot vacuums have applications that let you schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries, or "walls," to keep the vacuum away from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a home map after its first run, memorizing your space for future use. It comes with a huge dust bin that automatically emptys, as well as self-cleaning brush roll.

Object Detection

When selecting a robot vacuum cleaner, pick one that is able to pick up large items like lamp cords and toys as well as dust particles that are fine. This will ensure that the items don't get stuck in the roller brushes or strewn across your floor. This is especially important for those who have pets or children and you may have to clean the robot on a regular basis.

A model with an efficient engine and plenty of suction is also an ideal choice. This will allow it to be more efficient in removing dust, pet hair and lint off carpets and hardwood floors.

Another factor to consider is the size of your home. If you have a huge home, you may choose one with multiple cleaning zones that can clean your entire house in a single session. Some models also come with mopping functions that can be used to keep your floors looking fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums are long-lasting but they need to be cleaned properly and regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes regularly and emptying your dust bin, and wiping your sensors will keep your robot functioning efficiently for many years. Many robot vacuum owners we speak to have owned their machines for 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries with time).

A basic robot will cost you less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, but they'll still do an excellent job at removing surface dirt, pet hair, and dust. You can use them to clean your floors multiple times per day. The drawback is that they don't offer as much advanced technology, and could be prone to becoming stuck or requiring human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuum Deals robot vacs use sensors, lasers, or cameras to help them navigate your home without getting stuck or falling down the stairs. They also can avoid obstacles such as cords and furniture legs, and some models will automatically return to their base or dock when they run low on power. Some of the more expensive models have mapping capabilities that allow them to remember your home's layout and therefore spend less time bumping against walls.

There is no need to spend an enormous amount of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. There are models that do a fantastic job at picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces, such as tiles, wood and low-pile rugs. They can also do a decent job of handling larger objects such as metal screws and staples that are rusty or even the remains of toys. Some models even have an auto-emptying base that is handy for those who don't want to empty your trash bin after every cleaning run.

Some robotic vacuums have smart features, making the look of a stick vacuum quaint. They include schedules, zone-targeting, and the capability to control them via an app or voice assistant, such as Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas that you don't wish the robot to get into.

Some robotic vacs such as the Eufy 11S and my former favorite, the Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that keeps them from derailing by running into furniture or getting caught in cords. Certain robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle avoidance technology that makes use of sensors, cameras and Best Robot Vacuum Deals algorithms to stay clear of items such as lamp cords and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than other bots I've tested however, it did a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles within my home and rarely got derailed or trapped when I was cleaning my floors.

While the iRobot's j7+ was a good obstacle avoidance tool however, it wasn't always doing an excellent job of removing dirt and crumbs from my carpets. It also had a tendency to over-vacuum some areas, which led to lots of dust in the filter and a less-clean house.

Smart Mapping

Some of the best robots vacuums have an app that lets you alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and see the area covered by the machine. This is a very useful feature that many competitors do not have. It is easy to create profiles that will automatically start your robot at specific times and continue to run on an ongoing basis, such as cleaning the living area prior to dinner or every other day.

A good app can also let you control your robot with voice commands. Certain models can be controlled by Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free, so you can say "start cleaning" or "change cleaning mode" without using the app.

Choose models with a large dust bin. This will allow you to do many cleaning sessions without having to empty it. There are models that self-empty. This eliminates the requirement to empty the robot after every vacuuming session.

If you're looking to purchase a robot that is more than a vacuum, consider a model with mopping functions. These are usually larger than robotic vacuums and have a water tank which can hold several cleaning sessions worth of dust and dirt before needing to emptied.

Robots that are more advanced can create their own maps and keep track of the arrangement of your home from one cleaning session to the next, which prevents them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuums because it won't be spending time returning to the beginning of the room if it comes across walls or furniture.

Our testers found that robots that had this feature were extremely efficient. They could watch TV or do other things while the robot vacuum with docking station was cleaning. Some models employ laser navigation to create a map of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or all rooms while you're working.

App Control

It's best robot vacuum cleaner and mop to choose the vacuum that comes with an app that is mobile in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and select cleaning mode. Through the app, you can monitor the condition of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the top robot vacuums are controlled by voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.

It is simple to maintain a robot with a washable filter and a self-emptying container, particularly when the filter can be easily cleaned and washed. A high-powered brush is a excellent feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of dirt and hair. Some robots are more adept at avoiding chair leg than others. Some have a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to prevent clogging.

Some robot vacuums have navigation tools that allow them to discover your home and overcome obstacles. High-end models have sensors and cameras that detect obstacles like stairs, furniture and cords. On the other hand, less expensive models sometimes use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want to go. Object avoidance can be especially useful for families with young children who throw socks and toys all over the home. This helps your robot collect these items instead of scattering.

We're beginning to see more robots that have mops, which are useful for those who have hard floors and need to regularly clean them. These robots have a water tank built into the chassis, or an additional piece that you can swap in when it's time to clean. These robots might require refilling frequently but they're ideal for homes that have hard floors that aren't cleaned with vacuums.

These robots come with some impressive technology, and they cost a lot less than you'd expect. In fact, you can get an affordable model for less than $200 that does a good job of cleaning pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, and also moving around the edges of light carpets or area rugs. It is possible to schedule the robot to vacuum the room every day, and it can be controlled remotely via the app or by pressing buttons on its side.