The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of an actual remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.

Other high-powered robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the IRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris during every floor type test we ran.

In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, which makes them an ideal option for people who have sensitive hearing. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of performance and convenience, consider your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning demands maximum power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model to meet your requirements. Check out our complete list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many customers report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to accomplish its task without knowing how to navigate your home. For this reason, the best robots use advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and builds maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, camera-based and sensor-based.

The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. 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 was a fantastic mapping device with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the entire home.

Consider features such as sensors that detect floors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, whereas bigger ones can save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for ages. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing convenience without hands.

3. App control

The best robot vacs have an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robovacs have technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Others let you set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the stairs, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.


If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that can perform both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll have better results cleaning if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot with a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some smaller models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to replace parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are created according to the name to remove dust and other debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up small particles such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that suck up 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 helps them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If budget robot vacuum looking for a more affordable alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at reasonable prices and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the cost is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in perfect in good condition. Although you'll need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of cleanliness, and even wash while you're away from home.

Choose a robovac that has long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is not as long as a large vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac is charging you could opt for one that will automatically make 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 a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model of this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads once they are out.

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