The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence, but robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Modern models can mop, and climb (small) steps.

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, 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 that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, which makes them an ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not silent, but they're only about the same as normal conversations at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedule prior to selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews (Click On this page) and ratings to get more details on the most recent models available. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark places. Most robots come with cliff sensors that prevent them from falling off steps or other drops.

Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a area, room or the whole house.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is especially helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuums best vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry mopping and wet. You'll have better results cleaning by having your robot autonomous vacuum also remove its mop pad. Clean it and attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some smaller models. It's a good idea to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog up it could be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are made to, as the name suggests, to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect small particles such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score higher than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.

Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping into obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top in good condition. It is still necessary to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.

To maximize the time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges you can select one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash mops when they're running low.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.