Best Robot Vacuums

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

Some models can be operated using a smartphone app, while others require physically operated remotes. Certain models have advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and floor plans that can be modified.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles such as cords, walls and furniture. They also have object-avoidance technology to recognize toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or get caught by the suction blades. These features will help you save time by preventing your robot from getting trapped under the couch or behind a bed.

Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create the map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space, for instance the moment you move a piece of furniture. This isn't something that every robot has, but it can make an important difference in the performance and convenience your new appliance.

Many of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them through your home. These can work well in a variety of situations however, they can get hung up on items that are too close, such as lamp cords and shoes. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from an obstacle that was missed, so you might have to set up electronic keep-out zones around your home for specific objects.

Even the most powerful robot vacuums can be stuck on larger objects like chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. The robot cleaner won't be able lift large objects and may be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly skids on your floors. If it's pets or cats you may have to block its path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to configure in the application).

The most advanced robotic vacuums on 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 up to 30 kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Basses

Self-emptying bases can be a useful feature, whether you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of each cleaning session. They can hold between 45 to 60 days worth of waste, meaning they need to be emptied far less often than the bin on the robot's own.


Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature that includes iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robot the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll have purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it is included in your robot.

In addition to reducing the amount of time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one will also help you save money on dust bags that need to be replaced and keep your home cleaner. Certain bases have separate filters for capturing allergens. They may require to be cleaned periodically, depending on the model. To ensure that your base is operating at its best, you should always make use of the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.

The suction power of a robot is another aspect to take into consideration. There is no standard power scale that is used by all companies, but some provide Pascal (Pa), which gives you an idea of the performance of the device. Generally speaking, the greater the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.

A reputable robot must have features that are easy to use and a user guide that is simple to follow. A well-written manual can assist you in learning the basics and troubleshoot common problems, which is essential because these machines aren't inexpensive. Find a comprehensive manual that explains how to set up, maintenance and troubleshooting tips. If you're using a mobile application to control the robot, you'll be able to see the list of available settings and set them by rooms, zones or flooring surfaces. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even control the robot with a voice. A few of the top brands allow you to create virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning schedules. The best robots will allow you to save a cleaning plan and come back to it at any point. If you don't finish the task, the robot will resume where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Although robot vacuums don't have the same power as the full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning once they reach their home base, without needing to join them. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for most homes and will give you enough time to thoroughly clean your entire home in one move.

The typical dust bin on a robot vacuum will need to be emptied every few cleans. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large house or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is where a self-emptying robot vacuum can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dustbin, and even wash and dry its filter after every use to ensure it is ready for its next cleaning session.

The majority of robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is especially useful when you have tiled floors or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction power as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to get rid of liquid spills.

If you're looking for a machine that can also vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer great value. check these guys out have a high suction level and come with a big self-emptying base station. They might not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots so they might not be able tackle your entire house with a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. This inexpensive model doesn't have an integrated or removable water reservoir however, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming sessions and mopping.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they do require regular maintenance. Fortunately, some models require less effort than others. For example, choose a model that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to empty the trash can manually during cleaning runs. This feature is particularly useful if you have pets that shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to mop or sweep.

Most of our top picks have additional features that can cut down on cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that's easy to attach and stays in the right place, or a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots in your home, allowing it to clean them thoroughly.

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

Robot vacuums are available at a range of prices, ranging from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro, which only works on hardwood floors, up to $1,600 for the Roborock Q5 maximum+, which can vacuum and mop hardwood floors and carpets. Like everything else the more features you want the more expensive, but there are reliable options at every price range.

If you're looking for an ordinary bump-and-roll vacuum or an intelligent-mapping model that will clean your washboard while you're on vacation, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with a top-quality object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture and not become stuck. It's equipped with wifi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.

Take a look at our guide to robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Be sure to keep track of the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery is on time.