The Best Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is an excellent option to keep your floors spotless regardless of whether you have an area of 3,000 square feet with three shaggy doggies or live in a chic apartment. The top models have self-emptying bases, docking and recharge on a schedule, and offer features like cliff sensors.

If you have carpeting, select an upright vacuum cleaner with high suction power (measured in Pascals). Virtual barriers and no-go zones allow you to designate areas that the robot should not enter.

Smart Mapping

Many robot vacuums don't come with mapping capabilities which can be a hassle when you're trying to get your home spotless. These vacuums that are budget-friendly can be stuck on a wide variety of obstacles, such as cords, furniture legs and pet toys that have emerged from under sofa cushions.

The best robot vacuums that avoid obstacles use multiple sensors and cameras in order to create a precise room map as they move through your home. They can move more efficiently through your home by cleaning in a logical order and not needing to spend time cleaning areas they've already cleaned. It also stops them from getting stuck on items that have been moved during a cleaning session, or needing to spend more time "robot-proofing" your home by putting cords out of the way.

Robot vacuums can utilize various techniques for navigation to create these maps, ranging from the most basic to the latest. Some budget models make use of infrared sensors, whereas others utilize optical sensors that determine the time it takes for a reflected signal to reach the robot's backside. This allows the robot to determine its location within the room. Certain high-end robots, such as the Eufy S1 Pro, have a feature called SLAM navigation, which makes use of the combination of sensors to create a map of the room as it moves around the space.

This method is the most advanced because it not only allows the robot to navigate more effectively, but also provides an easy interface for the user. These systems can show you a 3D rendering of your home that you can interact with, as well as erase virtual boundaries or designate zones within the application for the robot to avoid. This type of mapping could be used in dark areas as long as there's a source of light close by (like a table lamp) that is bright enough to allow the robot to see the surroundings.

The latest robots can build a detailed map as they travel through your home using LiDAR or laser scanning. It's not as accurate as SLAM but it's still useful for avoiding obstacles. LiDAR is triggered by objects that absorb or reflect the laser beam. For example, dark colored floors will trigger the cliff sensors of a majority of robots, making them stop.

Self-Emptying Dustbins

Robot vacuums are attractive due to the fact that they can transfer debris from onboard dustbins into their docking base without user intervention. This eliminates the need to constantly bend down and empty the bin and, in turn, reduces the frequency of maintenance tasks. This is particularly important if your home is large and you wish to cut down on the amount of time your hands are used to handle dust and dirt.

It can take as long as seven hours for an appliance to fully charged and ready to be cleaned again. This is not ideal for large households or families with busy schedules. The majority of manufacturers offer the option of pausing cleaning and continuing at the point where the robot left off after its battery has been fully charged. robot vacuum cleaner for sale is available on most robots. It's great for parents with young children or who regularly leave their home to go to work.

Take note of whether the robot utilizes bags to collect debris or in the event that it does not. A bagged model can ensure that dust doesn't release clumps into the atmosphere when it's emptied, but you will need to buy and replace bags on a regular basis. If a model that is bagless is your preferred choice, look for models with a sensor that monitors the onboard dustbin for fullness and notify you when it's due to be cleaned.

In addition to self-emptying garbage bins The best robotic cleaners also have cliff sensors and docking sensors to stop them from falling over or getting stuck in the middle of obstacles. They can also make use of advanced artificial intelligence to boost performance and eliminate different kinds of debris.

Most robot vacuums need regular maintenance and attention to keep them running smoothly. Regular cleaning of the wheels, brushes and side brushes is required to remove pet hairs and other debris that can block and decrease suction power. Check the robot's charge level frequently to ensure that it is always at its maximum capacity. Low or flat batteries can slow down the robot and cause it to perform less effectively. It is therefore essential to monitor the charge on a regular basis.

Pet Hair Detection

In our tests, a few robots were very adept of picking up pet hair, including the Roomba Combo 10 Max and the SwitchBot. Some however, were not as good at it. Often these cheaper models rely on bump sensors for obstruction avoidance and can plow into things like shoelaces and cords (see below). Some of the more expensive vacuum-and-mop robots we have tested employ advanced intelligent mapping and learning capabilities to assist them in mapping your home and better navigate over time. This feature is particularly helpful for those with carpeted floors and lots of pet hair.

To maximize these features it's recommended to carry out regular maintenance. This can include emptying the dust bin cleaning the filters, cleaning other nooks and crannies from time to time and wiping off anti-drop and charging sensors. It is also recommended to make the effort to update your firmware, which will help your robot keep working well for a long time.

If you own a machine that has mopping capabilities, make sure to clean the brush and wipe it down from time to time. It's important to keep it clean and in good condition. It's also an ideal idea to change the mop pad every six months or so to ensure it's still functioning properly.

Some of the most advanced robots are able to create walls around your home during cleaning or sweeping, stopping them from getting into areas that you don't want them to enter. You can build virtual walls or boundary stripes by using your smartphone. This is particularly useful in the case of dangling wires, cords or other objects you don't want the robot to cross or become stuck on. Some robotic cleaners can even warn you about things they're about to hit, if you enable this feature in the app. This isn't a feature that all robots have, but it's worth adding to the list.

Remote Control


Robotic vacuum cleaners are operated remotely and are controlled by apps, voice commands or traditional remotes. They also have automatic self-charging and scheduling features making it easier for you to maintain a clean home without having to engage in any hands-on. This feature is perfect for those with weak muscles and mobility, since they don't need to lift heavy furniture to reach difficult spaces.

The best robotic vacuums can adapt their operation to a wide variety of floor surfaces, obstacles and other variables. They usually have sensors that detect different areas of the room and adjust to suit. This feature allows the robot to automatically change its cleaning method when switching between tile, carpet hardwood, or other kinds of flooring.

These intelligent machines are a big help in households with busy lifestyles and frequent guests. A robot vacuum can be programmed to sweep your home even when you're away, and even return to its docking station when it runs low on power. This will relieve you of the stress of having a dirty house and save time and money.

If you select a smart-compatible model it will connect to your WiFI network, and then communicate with your phone. You can make use of an app to schedule cleaning sessions, check your battery level and look over the mapping history. If your robot has a camera it can also be used with the app to review images of your space. This is helpful for detecting objects that the robot may have missed during its previous cleaning run like pets toys or chewed-up socks.

The majority of the top robots offer this type of smart integration. Some robots are compatible with Google Assistant. This means that you can use them by simply dictating via a smart speaker. However, certain devices might be unable to communicate with Google Assistant, due to issues such as signal strength or location proximity. Making sure the device is updated and removing any barriers between it and your Wi-Fi router or even considering an extender that connects to Wi-Fi could solve this issue.