The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) stairs.

They have a small dustbin which they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult dirt patches and hairs. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automates maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we tested.

A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter, which makes them a better option for people with hearing issues. They're still not quiet, but they're just the same volume as a normal conversation at home.

To get the most effective mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to determine the best robotic mop and vacuum model for your requirements. We suggest looking through our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its task without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.

The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums uk vacuums come with an app that monitors cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with an on-screen remote that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Select a model with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid running into furniture. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you intend to use your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select one that can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Clean it and reconnect it when you want to run another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on cheaper models. It's a good idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on every week or once as well. If you notice they are getting clogged it could be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are created to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuum robot vacuums will pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand, and larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95 percent. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can do maintenance on their own and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a great option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other best robot cleaner-buy selections.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while they keep your floors in tip-top span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.

To maximize the time you get from your robovac, choose a model with excellent battery life. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to clean most homes. If you don't want to be waiting around while your robovac is charging, you can also opt for a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash mops when they're empty.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.