The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence however, robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to remove even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris close to the baseboards as well as in corners.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we tested.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, making them the ideal option for people who have sensitive hearing. These units are not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.

Take into consideration your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your requirements. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively if it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark environments. The majority of robots have cliff sensors, which keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tested used object recognition to deftly navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an intuitive app and the ability to clean a specific zones, rooms or even the entire house.

Other features worth considering include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors automatically increasing suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one can save money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. 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

Most robot vacuums come with an app that monitors cleaning progress and schedule sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that can help them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others allow you to set no-go zones or targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to keep them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to utilize your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some smaller models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this at least twice per week. If you notice that they are getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well as larger pieces like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.

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

Read Far more have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult of 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 best option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you want a cheaper option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It is slow in mapping rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in pristine state. You'll still have to manually vacuum your home on a regular basis but robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.


Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a typical full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it is enough to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't want to sit while your robovac charges, you can choose one that will automatically return to the base station to charge.

If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one robot that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of your dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 because of 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 have a small house with no pets, it might be too expensive for certain. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, but costs about 25 percent less.