Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums excel at picking up pet hair, dust and other particles from carpet and hard floors. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.
Many models can be controlled using an app for smartphones, but others rely on physical remotes for operation. Some models have advanced features, like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and Automatic Floor vacuum maps that can be edited.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles such as walls, cords, and furniture. They also have technology for object-avoidance to detect pets, toys and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can save you time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck under the sofa or behind the bed and making it able to complete its room cleaning tasks more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create the map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also detect changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot is equipped with, but it can significantly improve the performance and ease of your new device.
A lot of the cheaper models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them around your home. They are able to work in many situations, but they can easily become entangled with objects that are too close, like shoes and lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from a missed obstacle which is why you may need to create digital keep-out zones within your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums can be caught up in larger objects such as large dog poop spills or chair legs. The robot vacuum will not be able lift large objects and could be forced to push them over or around the edges of the room. This could leave ugly skids on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you might need to block their path with a piece of furniture or a box. Some robots will permit you to create a virtual barrier within the application.
The advanced robotic vacuums listed below use objects detection to identify what is in the front of them even in dim lighting. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
If you suffer from allergies or just don't have time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after each cleaning session, self-emptying bins are an excellent feature to look for. These devices can hold up to 60 days' worth of dust. They must be emptied less often than the robot's dustbin.
Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature, including the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robot the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it's included with your robot.
Apart from reducing the amount of time you're spending cleaning the base, a self-emptying one can also help you save money on new dust bags and help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters for capturing allergens. They may require to be cleaned periodically, depending on the manufacturer. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filters and accessories to ensure optimal performance.
The suction power of a robot is another factor to be considered. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies follow however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the machine's performance. Generally speaking the higher the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.
A good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's guide that's easy to understand. A well-written guide can help you learn about the basics and troubleshoot problems as they arise. This is vital as these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able, when using a mobile application to control the robot, to look up the available options. You can then set them up by rooms, zones or flooring surfaces. Some apps allow you to plan specific cleaning sessions and even allow you to voice-command the robot. A few popular brands also allow you to create virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning plans. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and return to it at any time. If you fail to complete the task the robot will start where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the same power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, but their motors are energy efficient. The most effective robot vacuums can last for a long time on a single charge of batteries. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning themselves when they are at their base, without you having to escort them back to their base. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90-100 minutes is ideal for most households and allows you to clean your entire home in one go.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum must be emptied every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, especially when you have a large home or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums will save you a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin, and even wash and dry its filter after every use so it is ready for its next vacuuming sessions.
Most robot vacuums have an ejector or built-in water tank, which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially beneficial if you have heavily tiled floors or hardwood floors that require some extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. These mopping machines don't typically have the same suction power as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to remove liquid spills.
If you want a robot that can also vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer great value. Both models come with a high degree of suction, and both come with a large self-emptying station. They may not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots, therefore they might not be able to take on the entire house with a single charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an internal or removable water reservoir but it does have an impressive 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 but it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they also require regular maintenance. Fortunately, some models require less effort than others. For example, choose one with a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of instances you need to empty the trash can manually during cleaning runs. This feature is especially useful if your pets shed often or if it's the norm to not sweep up and mop.
Many of our top picks come with additional features that reduce cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multi-surface cleaner with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and holds well as well as a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots around your home, and slows down to clean them thoroughly.
Some models let you create a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Certain models feature advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and overcome obstacles. However, you will be charged a premium for these premium features.
There are robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on wood floors only to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. As with most things that you purchase, if you require more features, it will cost more but there are options to suit every budget.
If you're looking for a basic bump-and-roll vac or an intelligent-mapping model that will clean your washboard while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with an excellent technology for avoiding objects, allowing it to maneuver between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings or remotely control the vacuum.
Take a look at our guide to robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Don't forget to check the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery will arrive on time.