The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Today's models also mop and can even climb (small) stairs.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most difficult hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a fantastic job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, other debris close to baseboards and in corners.

Other high-powered robots on this list, apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, are the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.

A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for the majority of homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter, which makes them a better option for those who have sensitive hearing. These units are not silent but they are only as loud as normal conversations at home.

Take into consideration your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Check your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. Look through our entire list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews to learn more about the most current models. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum into their home.


2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, which offers the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in less expensive models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was a fantastic mapping device and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the entire home.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas a larger one will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally utilize a small disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The top robot vacuums have an app that lets you monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that lets you start, pause, and return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with technology for mapping to help them avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have a cliff detector to keep them from falling, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean your rugs choose one that can perform dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning if your robot vacuum can also remove its mop pad. Rinse it, and then attach it again when you are ready to run a new cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do best cheap robot vacuum at least twice a week. If you notice they are getting clogged it could be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots that we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other top-rated choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in perfect condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness, and even wash when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a model to last about two cleaning sessions when you run it on the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac charges you could choose one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, you should consider an option that also mop. Eufy's X10, the best model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mop pads as soon as they run out.

Its dependable carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a small home with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but it costs 25% less.