20 Things You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards as well as in corners.
Other high-powered robots in this list apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping feature, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every type of floor we test.
In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for most homes. They are also quieter, making them the ideal option for people who have sensitive hearing. These units are not silent however they are not about the same as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model for your needs. We recommend checking out our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum best vacuum can't do its job effectively when it doesn't know how to get around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based camera-based and sensor-based.
LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a zone, room or all of the house.
Think about features like sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas larger ones can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use the smallest, disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums have an app that can monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Most also sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Certain robovacs come with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have an elastomer roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other debris. Check the robot vacuum that mops's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Collection of debris
Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums will collect tiny particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of greater than 95 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, equipped with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins which automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboards as they mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it is less than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while they keep your floors in tip-top span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash when you're away.
Find a robovac equipped with a long-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a larger vacuum but should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you could choose a model that automatically makes its way back to its base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best robot cleaner model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they're low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score. It's not cheap and, unless you live in a a small house with no pets, it could be too costly for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25% less.