How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll have to do some work in order to maintain your robot's house. That means clearing out the clutter, removing loose cords and knotted rugs.

Choose a model that comes with an automatic emptying bin. This makes it easier to clean up spills and mess. You may also want two-in-ones that vacuum and mop.

Features

You can select a robotic vacuum cleaner that has smart features based on your home's needs. Some models map your home to create floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that displays live video feeds. These cameras can be used to detect obstructions and assist in problem solving. Some robots feature a feature where you can program cleaning sessions or change the frequency.

If you want a robot that can both mop and vacuum, look for a model with an automatic emptying dustbin. Ecovacs' Deebot Pro is one our top picks because it has both features at an affordable price. 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 with three bristles that push dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is the best of its kind due to a variety of reasons, including its mopping ability effective navigation, and its the low cost.

The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can go months without needing to be empty. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an excellent example of a top-quality robot with a self-emptying dustbin and clever features that allow for a hands-free experience. It has a small mopping pad which scrubs dirt off and can glide over lightweight mats and rugs that make other robots stumble. Sensors can assist in locating dirtier areas. It can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.

The Eufy Clean X10 is another excellent choice, and its app has an easy-to-use interface which makes setting up customized options simple and quick. Its lidar mapping is fast and accurate. It also allows rooms to be divided easily for a thorough clean. It has great technology for avoiding objects that suckers up Cheerios and dodges fake dog poop. However, it struggled a bit with stairs. Its square front design however, helped it get into corners more effectively than the majority of other robots we've examined. It's also capable to edge-hugging and sweeping along baseboards with ease.

Cleaning performance

Robots are not as effective as vacuums at cleaning deep into carpets and cleaning up dirt that has been hidden. However, they are able to collect small particles like dust and baking soda as well as heavier debris such as metal screws and pet fur. They can also clean up crumbs and spills. Maintaining your robot through routine maintenance such as emptying the dustbin, cleaning or changing the filter and wiping down the cameras and sensors will ensure it lasts for the longest time possible.

The top robots are capable of picking up fine particles on carpets with low pile and hard floors They're particularly adept at sweeping up orzo pasta, sand, and wood shavings. They can also clean up cat litter and screws made of metal but they're more likely to struggle with more sluggish items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive when climbing stairs, and they don't always grab everything around the furniture's edges.

Some models are great at mopping as well. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance is a model that does excellent job cleaning hardwood flooring. It can remove coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food mess. Its smart spot and zone cleaning modes allow you to set up an area for the robot to focus on, so that it doesn't waste time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a good mopping job, but it has one advantage over the Roborock. It can first vacuum, and then mop to remove staining and spills on high pile rug.


Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than the Roomba, but it has superior suction and can handle a wider range of floor types and textures. robot vacuum cleaners enough to return to the charging dock when it's getting dry and resume cleaning from where it left off. The app comes with a lot of other conveniences also such as a feature that automatically schedules periodic cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet which makes it a great choice for homes with kids or pets.

Cost

The best robot cleaners work well for a reasonable cost, and many offer clever features that can help you save money in the end. You'll want to consider how much you need a vacuum and a mop to get the most value for your money. Certain models have features you may not use but will be useful. For instance the self-emptying trash bin or navigation that is efficient.

The most cost-effective choice is to buy an item that can perform both mops as well as vacuums. It is important to remember that a robot cleaner can only be as effective as the dirt they collect.

Spending $500 on a robot capable of both vacuuming and mopping is reasonable. A good example is the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored highly in CR's testing, and it can clean carpets and bare floors. It has an intuitive application that allows you to track its cleaning routes, and to set no-go areas. Jaclyn Turner noticed that the mopping functionality could use improvement, as it uses a dragging mechanism using light pressure instead of true scrub.

However, if you're on a budget, you can still find a great deal on a top-rated robot vacuum that does just one task, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim and quiet design was great at cleaning tiles, hardwood floors, and low pile carpets. It also did not miss a beat when it came to picking up pet hair and litter.

Some robots that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation systems that do not create a coverage map and are more likely to be stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots are still able clean your floors, but they're not as efficient or are able to navigate around obstacles in your home.

Another alternative is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which earned high marks for both its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not quite as smart as the Combo J9+, however it is a breeze to use and works well on floors with carpets and even bare floors. It's also light and can be easily pushed under furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot cleaner is an excellent method of keeping your home clean, especially if you have pets or children. But, it will require some maintenance to stay in top condition. Regular cleaning, such as emptying bins of dust and washing filters, changing them as well as wiping sensors and cameras, can prolong the life of your robot.

Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines, but you can extend the life of your vacuum if you follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying and cleaning its dustbin, brush roller, and filter. Clean the robot's charging contacts and sensor using a damp rag to avoid them becoming blocked.

This model from Eufy is a great option for those who want a sophisticated, durable robot that's easy to use. It has a sleek ultra-slim design that enables it to slip underneath low ottomans and couches to nab hidden dirt. The app allows you to organize a cleaning time and select rooms. You can also create no-go zones, and adjust the cleaning intensity.

This model is a little more costly than the other models on this list, but it has many features which will make up for it. Its mapping speed is quick, and it can store four maps of your home in 2D or 3D. It's also one of the quieter robots that we tested, and its battery can last for around three hours on charge.

The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum that has a remarkable performance on walls. In our tests, it was able to clean up to 1.3 inch away from the wall. This is more than any of the other robots we tested. It comes with a variety of smart features including a spot cleaning feature as well as an automatic boost mode. It makes use of random navigation to ensure that it doesn't clean the same spots over and over.

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