What Makes a Good Robot Vacuum?

A good robot vacuum can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning your home on a regular basis. What is the best robot vacuum?

The more expensive features, such as real-time hazard detection and mopping systems can make your robot cleaner last longer. We'll go over the best maintenance and cleaning practices, such as emptying the dust bin after each use and scraping off dirt regularly.

Object Detection

A good robot vacuum will be adept at navigating and identifying obstacles. The best ones use sensors, lasers and cameras to work their way around your living spaces by sucking up pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors such as wood and tile as well as low-pile carpets and area carpets. Some of the best models also have mopping capabilities, which allow the mop pads to be swung over the floorboards in order to remove dried coffee spills or pet pee. It is important to select a model with Wi-Fi capabilities to set up cleaning schedules and control the machine via your smartphone. Consider a model with an onboard dustbin that empties into an even larger bin at the base. It also cleans and dries its own filter after every cleaning.

If you're willing to spend more than $500 the most expensive robotics offer advanced features like home mapping and enhanced obstacle detection. The top-end iRobot j7 uses sensors to map out your home while it cleans and can be assigned specific rooms or areas for cleaning. It also has fall-detection sensor to keep the robot from falling down a staircase. Other high-end features include self-emptying docks for recharging and the capability to wash your robot's mop pads.

Other models, like the Eufy X10, have smart mapping that can recognize your furniture, walls and other objects. Its sensor system identifies the differences between hard and soft surfaces, which helps it prevent damage or scratching to your flooring. It can detect even changes in height, such as a sofa or staircase. And it can use lidar, which makes use of lasers to create a real-time map of its surroundings that is able to work in darkness.

The size of the dustbin as well as the battery's life and the time for charging are all features to consider when choosing a robotic mop or vacuum. A larger bin will require fewer trips to empty, while an extended battery life and quicker charging times will permit more cleaning sessions. The suction power of a robotic vacuum is measured in Pascal (Pa), with higher numbers signifying more powerful vacuums. Find auto vacuum that has a high Pa rating that's compatible with the floor type you have.

Self-Emptying Base

A self-emptying base can add a lot of value and convenience to the robot vacuum that is compatible with it. best budget robot vacuum is a great way to not have to empty the dust bin on board at the end of each run, and the debris is moved to a larger bin in the base instead. This significantly reduces reintroduction of dust and allergens in the home, and it's particularly beneficial for those with children who are sensitive to allergens.

This feature allows you to make use of the robot cleaner more frequently because you won't be afraid to use it again, knowing that you won't have to empty it multiple times during every cleaning session. If you're interested in the robot cleaner that has this feature, look for one with a large-sized dustbin -- at minimum 400ml.

Robot vacuums can be a game changer for those with large homes and want to streamline their cleaning routine. They are ideal for daily vacuuming and, more often, mopping. You'll have more time on other chores when you have a robot vacuum in your home. Many owners are surprised at how clean the floors look after a few times of using it.

The initial cost of a robot vacuum might be expensive however, the investment is worth it for those who have the funds to make the investment. The top robot vacuums are easy to use and can be set up to clean while you're away or at work. Some even have the ability to be scheduled to run to complete their job automatically.

While robot vacuums are an excellent addition to any home but they're not 100% perfect and require manual maintenance. If you don't clean them frequently they can get clogged up with hair and other particles. This can affect their performance.


Keeping up with maintenance isn't difficult however it requires some time and effort. The majority of manufacturers provide specific instructions on how to maintain their products, and you must adhere to them closely. Outside of scheduled maintenance, you should periodically check the robot vacuum's brushroll to make sure it isn't clogged with pet hair or other debris.

Lidar Navigation

Lidar uses lasers for mapping and navigation, in contrast to optical sensor-based systems that rely on ambient light. That's why robots with this technology are more effective in avoiding obstacles and cleaning tight spaces than those that do not have it.

The app can be used to look at the maps or you can use the built-in feature, which lets you create specific room choices or zones that are not allowed to enter, like "clean the living room and the kitchen". Larger or more complex homes may take longer. You'll want to ensure that your robot does not see any floor to ceiling mirrors. These will reflect the laser and cause it to think that it's seeing a room that doesn't exist or even bump into its own self. Before mapping your home, it's best to cover the area with drapes or paper.

A good robot vacuum will be smart enough to avoid getting caught in tangled objects, even if they're hidden from view by furniture. For example, if the vacuum sees an untidy wire in its path, it will change direction and attempt a different route. If it spots a tripping hazard it will stop moving and notify you via the app or by chirping its on-device alarm.

The best robots are capable of doing this often. The iRobot Roomba 694, for instance was one of the most reliable models during our tests, picking up every speck of hair and coffee grounds that it could reach on hardwood flooring. It was also impressive on carpet, cleaning all but some flour grains from the corners it could reach.

It's not as powerful as our top choice Roborock Q5 Max+, but it's still a great value. Similar to the more expensive model, it's easy to map out rooms and easily navigable with simple-to-use options to create no-go zones and specific room selection. The bin is also big and doesn't require to refill its self-emptying base as often and can cover a large amount of ground before needing a refill.

Mopping

The top robot vacuums provide the best performance for the money. They excel in cleaning floors that are not clean and removing dust and debris that toys, furniture, and other obstacles have pushed into carpets. However they're not able to remove dirt that has been buried in carpets and rugs. They also tend to leave dust on baseboards and other edges. The majority of people use a robot mop in addition to their primary robot vacuum to perform more thorough midweek cleaning.

There are automatic vacuum of robot mop on the market, from dedicated mops that just mop to hybrid models with a dust bin and an water tank. When you are looking for a robot mop, make sure it comes with an auto-emptying system. This means that it will dispose of the dirty water into its clean bin at the conclusion of each cleaning cycle. This makes them easier to maintain than robovacs, which require you to empty small dustbins yourself into larger containers after each use.

It is also recommended to have mops with pads that detect carpets and raise them up enough to keep the floor from getting wet. Find a mop that can be programmed so it can draw a map and identify areas that require attention such as the stairs or kitchen. Many mop-and-vac models have side brushes that allow for more thorough cleaning of corners and edges.

A robot mop's suction power is another feature to consider. Many manufacturers offer Pascal (Pa) which means that the more powerful the Pa the stronger suction. Some manufacturers even have a Max mode when you're dealing with particular stubborn dirt.

The iRobot Braava Jet X8 Hybrid which is our top pick in terms of user-friendliness is a mop and vacuum. This machine quickly maps out our test homes and creates no-go areas for hardwood floors and carpets. It also automatically empties the clean and dirty bins in its self-emptying Dock after each mopping session. Its only drawback is that it doesn't reach all the way under our kitchen baseboards, which is a limitation that most robotic vacuums and mops have.