The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives however, robot vacuums make it a little less tedious. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) stairs.

They have a small dustbin which they empty themselves and some of them can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, other debris near baseboards and in corners.

Other high-powered robots on this list, besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These units are quieter, which makes them an ideal choice for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're just about the same as normal conversations at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and convenience. For regular light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Examine your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot perform its task without knowing how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.

A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the entire home.

Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize hard floors and soft carpet automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dry spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.

A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. They also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some have a dedicated remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like stairs, and avoid running into furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results when your vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then reconnect it when you want to run another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with an elastomer roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot cleaner's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris from your floors. The best robot vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums can pick up small particles such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots that we tested that could 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 alternative, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget choice. 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 is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however, it's cheaper than our other top-rated choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.

To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you use it at the maximum power setting. This is not as long as a large automatic vacuum and mop cleaner, but it is enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't wish to wait while your robovac charges you can select an option that automatically returns to the base station to charge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're empty.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but costs around 25% less.