20 Things You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models mop and climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some of them can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to aid in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the Robot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we test.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not as loud as a normal conversation at home.
Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and convenience. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum reviews vacuum can't do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and can miss the majority of debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application, and superb mapping capabilities.
Consider features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while bigger ones can save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize the smallest disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best automatic vacuum and mop robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. They also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is helpful in multi-leveled homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum mop cleaner robot to clean rugs, choose 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 remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reattach it when you need to run a new cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on less expensive models. It's a good robot vacuum idea check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris stuck on once or twice a week, too. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
As the name implies robot vacuums are created to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up small particles such as baking soda and sand, and larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than most manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top-performing robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It is slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you run it at the highest power setting. This is smaller than a full-sized vacuum, however, it should be enough to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging you could select a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a a small house with no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but is priced 25% less.