Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums excel in removing dust, pet hair and other particles from carpet and hard floors. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.
Many models can be controlled with a smartphone app, but others rely on a physical remote for operation. Certain models have advanced features like LiDAR navigation, or floor plans that can be edited.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that stay clear of obstacles like furniture, walls, and cords. They have object-avoidance technologies that can detect food items, toys and other items that could get in the way of the machine or get caught up in the suction. These features can save you time cleaning by keeping your robot from getting stuck under the sofa or behind the bed and making it able to complete its assigned room cleaning more efficiently.
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 an image of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also spot changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot comes with, but it could be a significant improvement in the performance and convenience of your new gadget.
Many of the cheaper models rely on simple sensors to help them navigate around your home. They are useful in a variety of situations but they can also get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as shoes or lamp cords. The cheaper robots lack the capability to learn from an obstacle that was missed which is why you may need to set up digital keep-out zones in your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums can get caught up on larger items such as large dog poop spills or chairs legs. If the object is too large the robot cleaner might not be able to lift it and will likely be forced to push it over or around the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If it's a cat or dog, you might have to block their path with a box, a piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to set up within the application).
The most advanced robotic vacuums featured here use object detection to determine what is in the front of them, even in low-light conditions. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
If you suffer from allergies or simply do not have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after each cleaning session, a self-emptying base is an option to look for. These devices hold anywhere from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they need to be emptied more frequently than the onboard bin of the robot.
Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature, including iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own, except if it's included with your robot vacuum.
In addition to cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning bases that self-empty can also help you save money on dust bags that need to be replaced and help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters to capture allergens. These may need to cleaned regularly, based on the brand. You should always make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
Another aspect to consider is the amount of suction power a robot has. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the device's performance. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.
A quality robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's guide that is easy to understand. A well-written manual can assist you in learning the basics and help you troubleshoot common problems, which is essential as these machines aren't cheap. It is recommended to look for an instruction manual that contains guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able, when using a mobile application to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones, or individual floor surfaces. vacuum robot allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even voice-command the machine. A few popular brands also allow you to create virtual no-go zones and create custom cleaning plans. The most effective robots allow you to save a cleaning schedule and then return to it at any point. If you fail to complete the task the robot will pick up where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the same power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, but their motors are energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums last for hours on one charge. They also recharge themselves and begin cleaning automatically when they reach their base without you having to escort them back. 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 apartment in one step.
The average dust bin on a robot vacuum will need to be empty every couple of cleanings. This is a tedious task, particularly if you have a big home or a lot of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum will help you avoid a amount of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dust bin, and even clean and dry its filter after every use so it is ready for the next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuums come with an ejector or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful for tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention in between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction as traditional vacuums and are unable to clean up liquid spills.
Consider a robot which can mop and vacuum at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both top-quality and provide excellent value. Both models come with a high degree of suction, and they come with a huge, self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, however, so they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single 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 sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum designed for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming sessions and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they also require some daily maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For example, choose a model with a self-emptying bin to cut down on the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning runs. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed often, or if it's an habit to not remember to sweep up and mop.
In addition to the basic features such as suction and rotating brushes, the majority of our top picks also include extra features that can cut down cleanup time even further. Think about a multisurface cleaner which comes with a mopping mat that is simple to attach and stays in position as well as a vacuum that makes use of LiDAR navigation to detect dirt spots around your home so it can remove them completely.
Certain models let you set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum using your voice. Some have advanced software that can understand the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, however, you'll need to pay more for these features.
Robot vacuums are available in various prices, ranging from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro, which only works on hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 Max+ that can vacuum and mop carpets and hardwoods. As with most things when you're looking for more features it will cost more but there are options for every budget.
We have the best robot vacuums for your needs, whether it's a an easy bump and roll vac, or one with intelligent mapping that will clean your washing board while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings or remotely control the vacuum.
Check out our guide to robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Be sure to review our recommended shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery arrives on time.