Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums do a great job of picking up pet hair and other particles on hard floors as well as in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.

Many models can be controlled by an app for smartphones, but others rely on the use of a physical remote to operate. Certain models have advanced features such as LiDAR navigation or floor plans that can be modified.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems which allow them to avoid obstacles like walls, cords, and furniture. They also have technology to avoid objects that detect pets, toys, and other clutter which could hinder the operation of the machine or get caught up in the suction. These features can save you time cleaning by preventing your robot from getting stuck in the sofa or behind the bed and which allows it to complete its assigned room cleaning tasks more efficiently.

Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also detect changes in your living space, such as if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has but it could make a significant difference to the performance and comfort of the new gadget.

A lot of the less expensive models rely on simple sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in a variety of situations but they can also get stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamp cords or shoes. These robots are cheaper and do not have the capability of learning when obstacles are missed. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.

Even the most powerful robot cleaner commercial vacuums could get stuck on larger objects such as chair legs or dog poop messes. If the object is too big the robot may not be capable of lifting it and will likely be forced to push it to the edges of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. In the case of dogs or cats you may have to block their path using the use of a box, piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the application).

The most advanced robotic vacuums listed here make use of object detection, which works in low and optimal light conditions to detect what's in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Basses

Self-emptying bases can be an excellent feature, regardless of whether you have allergies or simply aren't able to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of each cleaning session. They can hold between 45 to 60 days worth of waste, meaning they need to be emptied far less often than the bin on the robot's own.

This feature is available on several high-rated robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately in the event that it is not with your robot vacuum.

Self-emptying bases not only save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters that can be used to remove allergens. These may need to cleaned regularly, based on the brand. It is recommended to make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to ensure the highest performance.

The suction power of a robot is a different factor to be considered. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. Generally speaking, the more powerful the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.

A reputable robot must come with features that are easy to use, as well as an instruction manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written guide can assist you in understanding the basics and solve issues, which is crucial since these machines aren't inexpensive. Find a comprehensive guide that explains setup, maintenance and troubleshooting tips. You should be able, if you are using an application on mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can set them up by rooms, zones or even individual floors. Certain apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions and even voice-command the machine. A few popular brands also allow you to set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning plans. The best robots will let you save a cleaning plan and return to it at any point. If you don't finish the task, the robot will continue where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums may not have the same power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums however, their motors are efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums can run for hours on a single charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their home base, without needing to be there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90 to 100 minutes is sufficient for the majority of households, and will allow you to clean your entire home in one go.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large residence or pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum can save you a lot of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after each use, so that it is ready for the next cleaning session.

Most robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially useful when you have tiled floors or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention between your regular vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don't have the same amount of suction as a traditional vacuum does and often struggle with liquid spills.

If you're looking for a machine that can both mop and vacuum, you should consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices have excellent performance and offer great value. Both have a high level of suction and come with a large, self-emptying station. They might not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots therefore, they may not be able to tackle your entire house with a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. The model isn't equipped with an integrated or removable water reservoir, but it does have an impressive suction level (2,500 Pascals (or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S can't vacuum furniture or stairs but it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they also require regular maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. Select a model with self-emptying bottoms to reduce the amount of time you have to manually empty the bin during cleaning. This feature is especially useful when your pet sheds a lot or if it's a habit to forget to clean up and mop.

In addition to standard features like a rotating brush and suction and suction, many of our top picks also include extra features that can cut down cleaning time even more. Think about a multisurface cleaner which includes a mopping mat that is easy to attach and remains in place or a vacuum bot cleaner that uses LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.

Some models allow you to set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to pay for these advanced features.

There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+ that can vacuum and mop both carpeting and hardwoods. As with most things when you're looking for more features, it will cost more but there are options to suit every budget.

If you're looking for a basic bump-androll vac or an intelligent-mapping model that will clean your washboard while you're away, we've got the best smart vacuum robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with a top-quality object-avoidance technology, allowing it to maneuver around furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's equipped with wifi and works with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.

Take a look at our guide to robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for more tips. Be sure to review our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your delivery for the holidays is on time.