Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are great at picking up dust, pet hair and other particles from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Many models can be controlled using apps for smartphones, however others rely on a physical remote for operation. Certain models come with advanced features such as LiDAR navigation, or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums are equipped with sophisticated navigation systems that allow them to stay clear of obstacles like walls, cords and furniture. They also have technology to avoid objects that can detect toys, pet foods and other items that could hinder the operation of the machine or be sucked up into the suction. Read the Full Post can save you time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck in the couch or behind the bed and which allows it to complete its assigned room cleanup more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create a map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot comes with, but it could significantly improve the performance and ease of your new appliance.
Many of the cheaper models rely on sensors to help them navigate around your home. They can be useful in many situations, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as shoes or lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from a missed obstacle, so you might have to set up digital keep-out zones within your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items such as large dog poop splatters or even chairs legs. If the object is too large, the robotic cleaner may not be able to lift it and will be forced to push it over or around the edge of the room, leaving ugly skid marks on your floors. If it's pets or cats, you might have to block their path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to set up within the application).
The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list use object detection that works under low and optimal lighting conditions to determine what's right in the vicinity of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect more than 30 types of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases can be a useful feature, whether you have allergies or simply do not have the time to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of every cleaning session. They can hold between 45 to 60 days of debris, so they should be emptied more frequently than the bin on the robot's own.
This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need to purchase the self emptying base separately unless it's included in the robot.
A self-emptying base will not only save your time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also keep your home spotless. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, but they may require cleaning frequently. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies follow, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the device's performance. In general the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
A good robot should also have features that are easy to use and a user guide that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual can help you learn about the basics and solve issues, which is crucial because these machines aren't cheap. Look for a detailed manual that explains how to set up maintenance, troubleshooting and setup tips. You should be able if you are using a mobile application to control the robot, to look up the available options. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones or floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even allow you to voice-command the robot. Some of the most popular brands let you set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning schedules. The best robots will let you save a cleaning schedule and come back to it at any point. If you do not remember 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 full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning automatically once they get to their base without the need to take them back. In our tests, we discovered that a 90 to 100-minute battery lifespan is perfect for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to tidy your entire home in one move.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be emptied after every few cleanings. This can be a difficult task, particularly if you have a large home or a lot of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. This is where a self-emptying robot vacuum can save you some major frustration. This feature lets the machine empty its own bin and blow dry and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next vacuuming session.
Most robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank, which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwoods that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction power as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to clean up liquid spills.
You should think about a machine that can mop and vacuum at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks offer excellent performance and excellent value. Both robots have a high level of suction, and both come with a large self-emptying station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, and so they may not be able to tackle your entire home in one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. The cheapest model doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it does have a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floors. The 11S is not a vacuum for furniture or stairs, however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are fantastic for saving time and effort, but they require daily maintenance. Some models require less work than others. Select a model with self-emptying bottoms to reduce the number of times you have to manually empty the bin during cleaning. This feature is particularly helpful for pet owners who shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to sweep and mop.
In addition to standard features like a rotating brush and suction, the majority of our top picks also come with additional features that will cut down cleanup time even further. Consider a multisurface cleaner that has a removable mopping mat that is easy to attach and stays in position, or a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.
Some models let you set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants to control the vacuum using your voice. Certain models come with advanced software that can understand your home's layout and get around obstacles. However, you'll have to pay a premium for these features.
Robot vacuums are available at various costs, from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro that can only be used on hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 maximum+, which can vacuum and mop hardwoods and carpets. As with most things, if you want more features, it will cost more, but there are options to suit every budget.
Whether you just need a basic bump-androll vac or a smart-mapping model that can clean your washing machine while you're away, 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 around toys and furniture 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 and remotely control the vacuum.
For automatic vacuum cleaner on how to choose the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Be sure to keep track of our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure that your Christmas delivery will arrive on time.