Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are great at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard floors and carpets. However they leave a lot on the baseboards and furniture.
Some models can be operated using a smartphone app and others require physical remotes. Some models include advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation, or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that can keep away obstacles such as walls, furniture, and cords. They have object-avoidance technologies that detect food items, toys and other items that could hinder the operation of the machine or be sucked up into the suction. These features will help you save time by preventing your robot from getting stuck under the sofa or behind the bed.
Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize cameras and lasers to create maps. This allows them to 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 is equipped with, but it can be a significant improvement in the performance and ease of your new gadget.
A lot of the cheaper models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them through your home. These can work well in many situations however they can get hung up on items that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have 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 house for certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums could get stuck on larger objects such as chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. If the object is too large the robot cleaner might not be capable of lifting it, and will be forced to push it to the edges of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you might need to block their route with a piece of furniture or a box. Some robots permit you to create a virtual barrier using the app.
The most advanced robotic vacuums listed here utilize object detection in optimal and low-light conditions to see what's in the vicinity of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for instance are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
If you suffer from allergies or do not have the time to manually empty the dust bin of a robot vacuum after every cleaning session self-emptying bins are an excellent feature to look for. These units can hold up to 60 days of trash. They need to be emptied less frequently than the dustbin of the robot.
This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need to purchase the self emptying base on your own unless it's included with the robot.
Self-emptying bases not just save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also help keep your home spotless. Depending on the brand certain bases come with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they might require cleaning periodically. To ensure that your base is operating at its best it is recommended to make use of the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies adhere to, some offer 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.
A quality robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user guide that is simple to follow. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and help you troubleshoot common issues, which is crucial as these machines aren't inexpensive. It is recommended to look for the manual that provides instructions on maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able if you are using an application on mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can set them up by rooms, zones or even individual flooring surfaces. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot using voice. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning schedules. The most effective robots allow you to save a cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you like. If you fail to complete the task the robot will pick up where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums do not have the same power as the full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for hours with a single battery charge. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning once they reach their destination, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, we found that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for most homes and gives you enough time to clean your entire apartment in one go.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum must be emptied after every few cleanings. This is a tedious job, especially if you have a large house or lots of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum could help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dustbin, and even wash and dry its filter after each use, so that it is ready for the next cleaning session.
Most robot vacuums also come with a removable or built-in water tank that allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is particularly beneficial for floors that are tiled heavily or have hardwoods that need more attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to remove liquid spills.
Think about best home vacuum cleaner that can vacuum and mop at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top choices are both of high-quality and provide an excellent value. They both have a decent amount of suction and come with a large, self-emptying base station. They might not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots and therefore they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single battery charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't expensive and doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. It does however have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum for furniture or stairs, however it can be used to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are fantastic for reducing time and energy, but they require regular maintenance. Some models require less work than others. Choose a model that has an automatic bottom that can be empty to cut down on the amount of time you need to manually empty the bin when cleaning. This feature is especially useful if your pets shed a lot or have an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
The majority of our top picks have additional features that help reduce the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multisurface cleaner that has a removable mopping mat that is simple to attach and remains in place, or a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to identify dirt areas around your home, allowing it to clean them thoroughly.
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 with your voice. Some have advanced software that can understand the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to pay for these premium features.
Robot vacuums are available at a range of costs, from $100 for the ILife V3s pro that can only be used on hardwood floors, up to $1,600 for the Roborock Q5 maximum+ that can vacuum and mop carpets and hardwoods. As with most things when you're looking for more features you will pay more however, there are options to suit every budget.
If you're looking for an ordinary bump-and-roll vacuum or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we have 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 around furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's equipped with wifi and works with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.
Check out our guide to robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. Make sure to look over our recommended shipping dates to ensure that your delivery for the holidays is on time.