The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with a smartphone app rather than 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 get rid of even the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide under furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near the baseboards and in corners.

Other high-powered robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a powerful docking station that is able to perform maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every floor we test.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for most homes in the lower price range. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as a normal conversation at home.

Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your needs. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. For this reason, the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and builds an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Many robots also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or whole home.

Think about features like floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when required. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of a mopping pad lift to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot cleaner with mop vacuums have an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you want to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs, choose a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results from the robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has been stuck to them. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up it could be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are made according to the name to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top 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 do maintenance on their own and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for people who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent debris collection performance. It's slow to map rooms and may be susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy selections.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are made to let you move to work while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still need to give your home a manual automatic vacuum and mop robot every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.

Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you run it at the maximum power setting. This is less than a large vacuum but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac recharges you, you can opt for one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash mops when they're running low.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for certain. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.