The Best Robot Vacuums

If you have an area of 3,000 square feet and have three shaggy dogs or an elegant apartment robot vacuums are an excellent choice for keeping your floors spotless. The top models have self-emptying bases, docks and charge automatically. They also have features such as cliff sensors.


If you have carpet, search for a model with high suction capacity measured in Pascal (Pa). You can create virtual barriers or no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas.

Smart Mapping

A lot of robot vacuums don't come with mapping capabilities, which can be frustrating when you're trying get your home spotless. These budget-friendly models may get stuck on a range of obstacles like cords, furniture legs, and even pet toys that have sprouted from under sofa cushions.

That's why the best robot vacuums that have obstacle avoidance employ multiple cameras and sensors to create a precise map of the space as they move through your home. This lets them navigate your rooms more efficiently by organizing their cleaning in a planned pattern and not spending time looking at areas that they have already covered. This also stops them from getting stuck in objects that were moved during a cleaning, or spending more time "robot proofing" your home.

Robot vacuums use a variety of navigation methods to create these maps which range from the simplest to the latest. Infrared sensors are used in some models that are budget-friendly, while others use optical sensors that emit an emitted light beam and tracks the time it takes for the reflected signal to reach its backside which helps the robot figure out its position within the room. Some top-of-the-line robots, such as the eufy S1 Pro, have a feature known as SLAM navigation, which makes use of a combination of sensors to create a map as it moves through the room.

This approach is the most advanced since it allows the robot to move more effectively and efficiently, but also provides a useful interface for the user. These systems show a 3D rendering with which allows interaction with, and can also establish virtual boundaries or zones that are restricted to the robot. This type of mapping works in dark areas, as long as you have an area of light (like an electric lamp) which can light up the room sufficiently for the robot to see its surroundings.

The most recent robots can create an accurate map of their movements through your home using LiDAR or laser scanning. It's not as precise as an SLAM system, but it can still be useful in the avoidance of obstacles. LiDAR is often tripped up by objects that reflect or absorb the laser beam, like dark-colored floors. This will cause cliff sensors to be activated on many robots and cause them to stop.

Self-Emptying Dustbins

Robot vacuums are appealing because they can transfer debris from the onboard dustbins into their docking bases without intervention. This eliminates the need for the user to bend down to empty their bins, which decreases the frequency with which maintenance tasks are performed. This is particularly important if you have a large home and want to cut down on the amount of time your hands spend removing dust and dirt.

However, a robot that has been fully emptied can still take up to 7 hours to recharge and return to cleaning, which may not be a good choice for large homes or families with a lot of activity. The majority of manufacturers offer the option of pausing and continuing cleaning in the same spot where the robot stopped after the battery has been fully charged. robot vacuum cleaner best robotvacuummops is offered on most robots. It's great for parents with young children or who frequently leave home to work.

When choosing a robot that self-empties take into consideration whether it utilizes a bag or a bagless system to gather debris. Bagged models will prevent dust clumps from releasing into the air once they are emptied. However, you will have to purchase and replace bags on a regular basis. If a bagless model is your preference, look for models with a smart sensor that checks the onboard dustbin for fullness and alerts you when it's due to be empty.

In addition to self-emptying dustbins, the best robotic cleaners also come with cliff sensors as well as docking sensors that prevent them from falling over or becoming stuck under obstacles. They also have advanced AI to enhance performance and avoid different types debris.

Most robot vacuums need regular maintenance and attention to keep them running smoothly. This includes regular cleaning of the brushroll, sides brushes, and wheels to eliminate pet hair and other debris that could block them and reduce suction power. You should also monitor the battery level of the robot on a regular basis to ensure that it's always fully charged to its capacity. A flat or low-level battery will slow down the robot and cause it to perform less efficiently, which is why it's essential that you monitor its charge on a regular basis.

Pet Hair Detection

In our tests, some robots were very good at collecting pet hair. They included the Roomba Combo 10 Max as well as the SwitchBot. Other models, however, weren't so good at it. Most of the cheaper models rely on bump sensors for object avoidance and plow right into things like shoelaces and cords (see below). A few of the more expensive vacuum and mop robots we have tested employ advanced smart mapping and learning capabilities to help them map your home and better navigate over time. This feature is especially beneficial for those with carpeted floors and a lot of pet hair.

It's important to perform regular maintenance to make the most of these features. This can include emptying your dust bin cleaning filters, cleaning other nooks as well as wiping down charging and anti-drop sensors. Update the firmware to ensure that your robot will continue to function efficiently.

If you have a robot that can mop, make sure to wash the brush and wipe it clean every now and then. It is essential to keep it clean and in good working order. It's also a good idea to replace the mop pad every six months or so to make sure it's still functioning properly.

Some of the more advanced robots have the ability to wall off areas of your home during cleaning, preventing them from venturing into rooms that you don't want them entering. With your smartphone you can create virtual walls or boundary strips--this is especially helpful for those with hanging wires, cables and other objects that you don't want the robot to get stuck on or run into. If you enable this feature in the app, some robotic cleaners will alert you when they're close to hitting something. It's not a feature all robots are equipped with, but it might be worthwhile to add it to your list of options.

Remote Control

Robotic vacuum cleaners operate remotely and are controlled by apps, voice commands, or traditional remotes. These vacuum cleaners also have automated self-charging functions and scheduling functions, which allow you to keep a clean house without any manual intervention. This feature is ideal for those who have limited strength and mobility, as they don't need to lift heavy furniture to access awkward spaces.

The best robotic vacuums can adapt their operation to a broad variety of flooring surfaces, obstacles, and other factors. They often include sensors that detect different areas of the room and adjust in accordance with the area. This feature lets a robot automatically change between cleaning methods when switching between tile, carpet hardwood, or other types of flooring.

These intelligent machines are a great help in households with hectic lifestyles and frequent guests. Robot vacuums can be programmed to clean the house while you're away, and they can also return to their docking station in the event that the power runs out. This can save you money and time by avoiding the stress of an unclean home.

If you opt for a model with smart-compatible technology it will be able to connect to your Wi-Fi network and connect with your smartphone. This enables you to control the device using an app that schedules cleaning sessions and check your battery status and mapping history. You can also use the app to view photos of your home when your robot has cameras. This is useful for identifying things that the robot could have missed during its previous cleaning run for example, pets or chewed up socks.

The majority of the top robots have this type of smart integration. Some are compatible with Google Assistant, which means you can activate them by simply giving a command through a smart speaker or display. Certain devices may have difficulty communicating with Google Assistant due to signal strength or proximity. This issue can be resolved by keeping the device up-to-date, minimizing barriers between your router and it or by using a Wi-Fi extension.