How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll have to put some effort into your robot's home maintenance. That means clearing out clutter, tidying up loose cords and tangled rugs.

Look for a model with self-emptying bins. This makes it easier to clean up spills and dirt. You may want a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop.

Features


You can choose a robot vacuum cleaner with smart features based on the needs of your home. Certain models can are able to map your home's layout to create floor plans, while others include an integrated camera that displays live video feeds. These cameras can also be used to identify issues and assist in problem-solving. Some robots feature the ability to schedule cleaning sessions or alter the frequency.

Choose a model with self-emptying dustbins for those who want it to be able to vacuum and mop. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is one of the top choices we've tried because it offers both features at a reasonable cost. It features a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This makes it able to pick up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also uses side brushes that have three bristles to push dirt and hair into the path of the robot. This model is among the best of its kind for a variety reasons including its mopping capabilities, efficient navigation and low price.

The most effective robovacs come with large dust bins, that last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an excellent example of a top-quality robot that has a self-emptying dust bin and intelligent features to provide hands-free operation. It comes with a tiny mopping mat that is able to remove dirt that has gotten stuck to the floor. It also glides over mats and rugs that are too light for other robots. Sensors can assist in locating areas that are more prone to dirt, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.

Eufy Clean X10, with its user-friendly app, is another great choice. Its customization options are quick and easy to set up. Its lidar mapping is fast and precise. It also allows rooms to be divided easily for a thorough cleaning. It also has an excellent anti-object system that can consume Cheerios and even avoid fake dog poop. However, it did have some issues with stairs. best affordable robot vacuum -front design helped it get into corners more efficiently than the majority of robots we've tried. It's also capable of bending its edges which allows it to sweep across baseboards easily.

Cleaning performance

While robots aren't able to clean deep into carpets or clean up ground-in dirt as well as a real vacuum cleaner, they do an impressive job of removing fine particles such as baking soda and dust, as well as heavier debris such as metal screws and pet hair. They also can sweep up crumbs and spills. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance, such as emptying the trash bin, cleaning or replacing the filter and cleaning sensors and cameras, will help you get the longest life possible from your robot.

The most effective robots are adept at picking up fine particles from hard carpets and floors with low pile. They are also adept at picking up orzo, sand, and wood shavings. They can pick up screws made of metal and cat litter, however they aren't as adept at slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're not as impressive on stairs, and don't always grab everything around the edges.

Certain models are also excellent in mopping. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance, is a model that does an excellent job of cleaning hardwood flooring. It can remove coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food mess. Its smart zone and spot cleaning modes allow you to create an area that the robot will focus on, so it won't waste time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot which does a great job of mopping. It has an extra advantage over the Roborock: the option to first vacuum and then mop makes it better at cleaning up spills on high pile carpets.

Another top-rated mopping robot is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's a little more expensive than the Roomba but it's got superior suction and can work with a greater variety of flooring types and textures. It's also smart enough to return to the charging dock if it's running low on water and then resume cleaning where it left off. Its app comes with a myriad of features, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet, making it an ideal choice for homes that have pets or children.

Cost

The best robot cleaners work well at a low cost and a lot of them have intelligent features that will help you save money in the long run. Think about how much you'll pay for a vacuum cleaner and a mop in order to get the best bang for your buck. Some models have features you might not need but find useful. For instance the self-emptying trash bin or a navigation system that's efficient.

The most cost-effective option is to purchase one that is able to do both mops and vacuums. It is essential to remember that a robot vacuum cleaner will only be as effective as the dirt they remove.

It is possible to pay around $500 for a machine that does both vacuuming and mopping, such as the iRobot Combo j9+. The robot scored well in CR's testing, and it can clean floors, carpets, and even bare floors. It comes with a user-friendly application that allows you to view its cleaning route and also set no-go zones. Jaclyn discovered that the mopping function could be improved as it is based on light pressure and a dragging motion rather than scrubbing.

However, if you're on a tight budget you can still find a bargain on a top-rated robotic vacuum that is able to do one job, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim, quiet design excelled in cleaning hardwood floors, tiles and carpets with low pile. It also didn't miss a beat when it came to cleaning up pet hair and litter.

Some budget-friendly robotics have rudimentary bump navigation that doesn't produce an outline of coverage and is more likely to get caught on furniture or miss certain spots. These robots are still able to clean your floors, but they are not as efficient or able navigate around obstacles in your home.

Shark IQ XL is another alternative. It's a budget-friendly machine that has been praised for its cleaning performance as well as its price-to-value ratio. It's not as sophisticated as the Combo J9+, but it is easy to use and works well on floors that are carpeted or bare. It's also light and can be carried under furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot vacuum cleaner can be an excellent option to keep your home clean, especially if it has children or pets. However, it needs some maintenance to stay in top shape. Regular cleaning, such as emptying the dust bins washing or changing filters and wiping cameras and sensors can extend the life span of your robot.

Vacuums need more frequent maintenance than mopping robots, but you can prolong the life of your vacuum by observing manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning and emptying the dustbin, brush roll and filter. Clean the charging contacts on the robot's sensor with a damp rag to avoid them becoming blocked.

This model from Eufy is a great choice to get a smart robust, sturdy robot that is easy to use. automatic vacuum and sleek design lets it be placed under couches that are low and ottomans to grab dirt that's not visible. The app makes it easy to choose rooms and plan a cleaning, and also set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned and adjust the cleaning intensity.

Although it's a little more expensive than some models on this list, this robot comes with a variety of features that can make up for the price tag. Its mapping is quick and it's able to save four maps of your house in 3-D or 2D. It's also among the quieter robots we tested, and its battery will last about three hours per charge.

The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with an impressively high performance on walls. It cleared up to 1.3 inches from the wall in our tests, which is far more than any other vacuum we tried. It has many smart features including a spot cleaning feature as well as an automatic boost mode. It also utilizes random navigation, so it doesn't clean the same spots repeatedly.

The robot's drawback is It is unable to recognize floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by carpets and rugs. It's great for small apartments or homes that have narrow hallways as well as furniture that is a lot of narrow hallways.