Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are great at picking up pet hair, dust and other particles from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Many models can be controlled by an app for smartphones, but others require physical remotes for operation. Some models have advanced features, like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and editable floor maps.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that stay clear of obstacles like walls, furniture, and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to identify toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the path or get caught in the suction blades. These features will save you time by stopping your robot from becoming stuck under the sofa or behind the bed.
Some of the more advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create a map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect any changes to your living space, for instance if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot is equipped with, but it can make a significant difference in the performance and ease of your new appliance.
The majority of cheaper models rely on simple sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many scenarios but they can also get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as lamps or shoes. These robots are also less expensive and do not have the ability to learn when an obstacle is missed. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects from being thrown away.
Even the best robot vacuums can be stuck on larger objects such as large dog poop splatters or even chairs legs. If the object is too large the robot cleaner might not be capable of lifting it, and may be forced to push it to the edge of the room, leaving ugly skid marks on your floors. If you have a cat or dog it is possible to block their path using an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to set up in the application).
The most advanced robotic vacuums in this list use object detection that works under low and optimal lighting conditions to see what's in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you have allergies or simply aren't able to manually empty the dustbin of your robot vacuum at the end of each cleaning session. These devices hold anywhere from 45 to 60 days of trash, which means they need to be emptied more frequently than the onboard bin of the robot.
This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own unless it's included with the robot.
Aside from cutting down on the time you're spending cleaning the base, a self-emptying one will also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer the base comes with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they may need to be cleaned out regularly. It is recommended to make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is a different factor to be considered. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies use, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the device's performance. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
Also, a quality robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written user manual can help you learn the basics and troubleshoot common problems, which is essential since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should seek out a manual that includes instructions on maintenance setting up, troubleshooting and configuration. If you're using a mobile application to control the robot, you'll be able to view the available settings and then set them according to rooms, zones or floors. Some apps let you set up specific cleaning times, and even control the robot using voice. Several well-known brands allow you to create customized cleaning plans and create virtual no-go zones. The top robots let you save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you like. Then, if you forget to finish the task the robot will start where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums do not have the same power as fully-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for hours on a single battery charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their destination, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100-minute battery life is ideal for most homes, and will provide enough time to clean your entire home in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be emptied every few cleanings. This can be a difficult task, especially when you have a large home or lots of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums can help you avoid a amount of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin and wash and blow dries its filter after each use, so it's ready for the next cleaning session.
Most robot vacuums have an ejector or built-in water tank, which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that need a little extra attention in between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the amount of suction as a traditional vacuum has and often struggle with liquid spills.
If you're looking for a robot that can both mop and vacuum, you should consider a one-stop combo robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top choices are both high-quality and offer an excellent value. They all have a high level of suction and come with a big self-emptying base station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation of our two top-rated robots, however, so they may not be able to complete your entire home in one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an integrated or removable reservoir for water, however, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pascals, or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. budget robot vacuum isn't able to vacuum stairs or furniture but it's a great choice for keeping your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they do require some daily maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. Select a model with an automatic bottom that can be empty to cut down on the amount of times you'll need to empty the bin manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed a lot or have the norm to not sweep up and mop.
In addition to the basic features such as suction and a rotating brush, most of our top picks come with additional features that will cut down cleanup time even further. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and remains on well as well as a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that can recognize dirt spots around your home, and can be slowed down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models allow you to set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can recognize the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles but you'll have to pay for these features.
There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+, which can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like everything else the more features you'd like the more expensive but there are reliable options at every price point.
If you're looking for a basic bump-and-roll vac or a smart-mapping model that can 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 between furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your phone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.
Check out our guide to robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops for more tips. And don't miss our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure that your Christmas delivery is on time.