The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models mop and can even climb (small) steps.
They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of the physical remote. Some have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. Power
Our top pick for robotic vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Other powerful robots in this list in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints and other messes on all floors we test.
In the lower price range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than adequate for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent, but they're only the same volume as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of power and usability Consider your cleaning requirements and budget. For frequent light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is needed. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Consider your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews (
Highly recommended Site) and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't do its job well when it doesn't know how to get around your home. For this reason, the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates an outline map to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.
Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that recognize carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough stains.
A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will save money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, but the mid-range models typically have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The top robot vacuums have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Most also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean the areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot
automatic vacuum and mop to clean rugs choose a model that can do dry mopping as well as wet. You'll have better results cleaning if your robot vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to run another cleaning cycle. Also look for a
robot vacuum best that has a rubber roller that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on less expensive models. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Do this at least every week. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well in larger pieces of orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top robots had pickup scores of more than 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that perform maintenance by themselves and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate even the most challenging areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It offers LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map rooms and can be prone to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective
robot vacuum cleaner uk vacuums let you move about your day while they keep your floors in top state. You'll still need to manually clean your home from time to time however, robovacs can assist you in maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness, and will even clean while you're away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most of it. If you select the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a full-sized
automatic vacuum cleaner, but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to wait while your robovac charges you can opt for an option that will automatically return to the base station to charge.
If you're looking for a robot that does a little bit of everything, consider an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops when they run out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up, great hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, but costs about 25% less.