The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many lives However, robot vacuums make it a little more enjoyable. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that assist in navigating your home more effectively.

1. Power

With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is durable enough to take care of the most difficult hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology offers precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other powerful bots in this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping kept my floors free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them a better option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're not about the same as a normal conversation at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and efficiency. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires a lot of power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many customers report having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job well without knowing how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which provides the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used objects recognition to navigate through things like cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners usually use a small disposable dust bag, while most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that lets you start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to stop them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better cleaning results if your robot vacuum can remove its mop pad. Rinse it and then reattach it when you need to run another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other debris. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris stuck on every once or twice per week, too. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to remove dust and other debris from 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 have better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of greater than 95%. 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 do maintenance on their own. They also have app features that make them extremely user-friendly.


They both have self-emptying bins that collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're seeking a lower-cost option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. budget robot vacuum features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup performance for the price. It's slow to map out rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top-rated selections.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums are made to let you go moving with your day while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness, and even wash even when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has long-lasting batteries to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can select one that will automatically return to the base station for charging.

If you're looking for a robot that has a little bit of everything in it, then consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mop pads when they run out.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25 percent less.