How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't need advanced features such as mapping and do not mind cleaning your trash bin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum could be the best choice for you. Select a model with an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.

It is the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors vacuum we have tested in getting rid of dirt and pet hair from tile floors, hardwood floors and carpeting with low pile. It can also plan out and set virtual no-go zones for rooms or specific areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can keep clean of the pet hair, dust and dander that collects on your floors on a daily basis. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, saving your time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that can take on the most difficult messes and leave your home sparkling clean.

Selecting a vacuum that also mop will allow you to achieve more coverage with one machine, which is especially beneficial for homes with a large area. Look for models that have an water reservoir built into its chassis or as a separate piece that you can swap out when the vacuuming is finished. It will need to be emptied and filled, so it's an extra task.

In a perfect universe, you would clear your floors first before you use your robot vacuum to prevent it from crashing into anything. However, in the majority of homes, this isn't possible or desirable. Most models allow you to make use of an app on your smartphone to create virtual barriers the robot can detect. Some models have no-go zones which you can use to mark areas that you don't want it to enter, such as kids rooms or a stack of cords for your device in the corner.

If you're looking for a basic robot vacuum with no bells and whistles, this model made by networking company TP-Link is a great choice. It's quiet, works well on both hard floors and low-pile rugs and can be scheduled using the app to vacuum or mop at your convenience. It has a good battery life, and can last up to 180 minutes before needing to recharge.

2. Easy to Operate

In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They make use of navigation tools such as sensors lasers, cameras and sensors to maneuver around obstacles and remove food particles, dust and pet hair from hard floors, tiles carpets, and hardwood. Many have boundary strips to allow them to stay within the walls of a room while pricier models can be programmed to automatically wake up and begin cleaning at a predetermined time. Certain models come with fall detection technology to help users avoid falling down the stairs or getting caught in cords.

Look for models that you can control from your couch via voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also search for models that connect to Wi-Fi and let you start cleaning sessions from anywhere via an app. Depending on how big your home is, you may prefer one with a long-lasting battery and a spacious dust bin that doesn't need to be emptying frequently.

Certain robot vacuums are also mopping. They utilize water reservoirs to wash the floor. This is ideal for mopping, but not great for difficult messes such as pet poop and other spills. You can select hybrids that have an adjustable microfiber mopping pad, or a self-emptying version that allows you to go for up to 60 days without emptying the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Certain robots employ advanced mapping technologies to build a precise map of your floorplan while they clean and tidy, allowing them to avoid bumping mindlessly into furniture or tripping over things like chair legs or yeedi robot vacuum cords. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however, it allows your robot to get a complete understanding of your home's layout and knows where to go when the battery is out.

If you don't want your robot to venture into areas of your home you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your kids' toys or the tangled mess of gadget cords in the corner) The majority of robots offer some way to create virtual barriers, either via their app or physical boundary strips. This lets you create zones that you do not want your robot to enter, so that it can concentrate its attention on the rooms and spaces that need the most cleaning.

A lot of robots can also automatically change floors depending on the kind of flooring they are cleaning. This can be accomplished by changing from carpet to hard flooring, or by focussing on particular areas of your home like corners and baseboards. In our tests this was a helpful feature that improved their performance in picking up carpeting made of low-pile or hardwood. It's important to tuck away any loose cords or furniture prior to using your robot vacuum, so that it doesn't become caught.

4. Remote Control

The majority of robot vacuums are WiFi-enabled and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts, which enable you to control them using voice commands or via your smartphone. Many robot vacuums connect to smart home systems and create an outline of the area they clean after each session. This allows them to "learn" how your home is laid out and plan more efficient routes during future cleaning sessions. Some have obstacle avoidance built in to prevent them from causing damage to furniture and getting stuck on things like loose charging cables or pet hair.

Most robots are equipped with a remote control that you can use to navigate them around your home. However, the majority of them can be controlled using an app on your mobile that comes with additional features. You can create multiple cleaning schedules, and create an inventory of your preferred rooms. You can also manually direct the robot with directional arrows.

Some models provide no-go zones, which are virtual barriers you can set up within the app to prevent the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for children or dog beds and bowls). Certain apps let you draw an outline of your home and provide detailed information about the floors. The app on our top pick Roborock S7+, the Roborock S7+, has numerous options to help you tidy your home, but its interface isn't as polished as the ones from iRobot and Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacs that can work throughout the house without stopping to recharge or empty their bins of dust make it easier for you to save time and effort. Certain robot vacuums can work with smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also draw an outline of the space that allows you to program them for specific areas or rooms and to avoid obstacles.

Most robot vacs have some degree of detection of objects, but higher-end models like the iRobot j7 offer sophisticated features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that will simplify your life (although our test bot did once "eat" socks). socks). If you're looking to take your home cleaning to the next level, look for a robotic mop that has a tank of water that can be filled and then empty.

While none of the models we tested could compete with the power of a stand-up model, the majority of them do an excellent job of cleaning carpets with low pile and hard floors. 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 most effective Yeedi Robot Vacuum vacuums are able to clean corners and edges and work around furniture. Eufy 11S is a relatively basic and affordable model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

With the right configuration, a robot vacuum can aid in keeping your home looking and looking and feeling cleaner regularly, Yeedi Robot vacuum with minimal effort. You can schedule cleanings through the app and set up zones that are not allowed to enter so that your robot doesn't harm your plants or your favorite chair. Many of our top picks will also empty their trash bins for you and clean their docking station.

The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for months or even weeks at a stretch, freeing you from the tedious chore of manually mopping and sweeping your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This allows you to enjoy more time doing things you enjoy, and decreases the amount of time required to clean your floors manually.

In our tests during testing, Q Revo was able to capture fine particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also grabbed heavier debris like nails and screws made of steel, as well as fluffy things like pet hair. It's not equipped with the advanced mapping and objects avoidance features of our top picks, however it's adequate for the majority of families.

The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles such as power cords and socks, shoes, and pet waste. This means that you don't need to tidy up before using your robot. However, cluttered rooms can cause your robot to get stuck and do a poor job.