The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is a major cause of many people's existence however, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can also mop and climb (small) steps.

They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has a suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to get rid of even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other powerful bots in this list include the Robot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.

A model that has 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're just as loud as a normal conversation at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and efficiency. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is needed. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details on the most recent models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.

1. Navigation

A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three main kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots I tested used objects recognition to navigate through things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the all of the house.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when necessary. Certain robots, like the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one can save money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize a small disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

1. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Look for a model with larger dustbins that self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

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

If you want to use your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to replace parts.

1. Debris collection

As the name suggests robot vacuums are created to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many manual vacuums.

In all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of over 95 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own. They also have features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also among the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but the cost is lower than the other choices.

1. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums are made to let you go on with your life while they keep your floors looking spick and span. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time but robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain standard of cleanliness, and even keep your home clean when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good guideline is to anticipate a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions when you run it at the maximum power setting. This is smaller than a larger vacuum however, it should be enough to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac recharges you could select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category 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 respectable carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores makes it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive, and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25 percent less.