Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums excel at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard floors and carpets. However, they leave a lot of debris on the baseboards and furniture.

Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application however others require a physical remote. Some include advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and floor maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The top robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles such as cords, walls and furniture. They also feature object-avoidance technology to recognize toys, pet food and other items that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can help you save time cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck under the couch or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its assigned room cleaning tasks more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ use lasers and cameras to create a map. This allows them to navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect changes to your living space, such as the moment you move a piece of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has, but it could make a significant difference to the performance and comfort of your new appliance.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many situations, but they can easily get hung up on items that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from a missed obstacle which is why you may need to set up digital keep-out zones within your home to keep out certain objects.

Even the best robot vacuums may get stuck on larger objects like chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. If the object is too big the robot cleaner might not be capable of lifting it, and will likely be forced to push it across or around the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. In the case of pets or cats you may have to block its path with a box, a piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to set up within the app).

The most advanced robotic vacuums in this list make use of object detection, which works under low and optimal lighting conditions to determine what's right in the vicinity of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify more than 30 types of obstacles with optimal lighting.

budget robot vacuum -Emptying Bases

Whether you have allergies or do not have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after every cleaning session, a self-emptying base is an excellent feature to look for. These devices hold anywhere from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they must be cleaned far less often than the onboard bin of the robot.

A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature that includes iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll have to purchase the self emptying base on your own unless it's included with your robot.

Apart from cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one will also help you save money on new dust bags and help keep your home clean. Based on the manufacturer the base comes with separate filters that are able to trap allergens, but they might need to be cleaned out periodically. To ensure that your base is operating at its best it is recommended to make use of the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

The suction power of a robot is a different factor to be considered. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. Generally speaking the more powerful the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.

Finally, a good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user manual that's easy to understand. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is crucial as these machines aren't cheap. It is recommended to look for a manual that includes guidelines for maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able when using an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up in rooms, zones, or individual floors. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot with a voice. Some of the most popular brands allow you to create virtual no-go zones and make customized cleaning schedules. The top robots let you save your cleaning schedule and return to it at any time you wish. If you forget to finish the task, then the robot will resume where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums do not have the same power as fully-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums are able to run for several hours on a single charge of batteries. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their home base, without needing to join them. In our tests, we discovered that a 90 to 100-minute battery lifespan is perfect for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to thoroughly clean your whole apartment on one step.


The dust bin of a robot vacuum must be cleaned out after every couple of cleans. This can be a daunting task, especially if have a large house or pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum could save you from a lot of frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after each use so it is ready for its next session of vacuuming.

The majority of robot vacuums have a built-in or removable water tank that lets them clean your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful for floors that are heavily tiled or have hardwood floors that require some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping machines don't typically have the same suction power as a traditional vacuum and struggle to remove liquid spills.

You should think about a machine that can vacuum and mop at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both top-quality and provide excellent value. Both are equipped with high levels of suction and have a large, self-emptying station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, however, so they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single charge.

Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't expensive and doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it does have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum stairs or furniture however it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking clean between mopping and vacuuming sessions.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are great for saving time and effort but they require regular maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For instance, you can choose a model that has a self-emptying base to reduce the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed often, or if it's an habit to not remember to sweep up and mop.

In addition to regular features like a rotating brush and suction, most of our top picks include extra features that can cut down the time needed to clean. Think about a multisurface cleaner which comes with a mopping mat that is easy to attach and remains in the right place or a vacuum cleaner that utilizes LiDAR navigation to detect dirt spots in your home, allowing it to remove them completely.

Certain models let you set a schedule, designate rooms to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with your voice. Certain models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and help you overcome obstacles. However, you'll be charged a premium for these premium features.

You can find robot vacuums that fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+, which can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. As with most things the more features you want the more expensive but there are reliable choices at any price point.

If you're looking for a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with a top-quality object-avoidance technology which allows it to move between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's got wifi and works with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.

Read our guide on robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. Make sure to look over our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery arrives on time.