The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of many people's existence however, robot vacuum that mops vacuums make it a little less tedious. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping features that aid in navigation.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuum and mop vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.

Other high-powered robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris throughout every flooring type test we conducted.

In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. These models are quieter, making them an ideal choice for people who have sensitive hearing. They're still not silent, but they're only about the same as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to determine the best combination of power and usability. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to determine the best model to meet your needs. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after using a robotic vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively without knowing how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based, and camera-based.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors which are less accurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.

Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize mopping pad lifts to reach corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will cost less to replace. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally use a small disposable dust bag, whereas most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule sessions, and most can connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from running into furniture. Others allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that need it most. They also have a cliff detector to stop them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you want to make use of your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select one that can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have a rubber roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. It's a good robot vacuum idea to check the robot vacuum cleaner reviews's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

Robot vacuums are designed to, as the name suggests, to collect dust and debris on your floors. The most effective ones can pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They also provide better results on low pile carpets than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically take the contents of the wastebasket and clean the washboard while you mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation at an affordable price and decent debris collection performance. It is slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are made to let you go to work while they keep your floors looking spick and span. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then Robotic vacuums can help maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to sit for your robovac to recharge you can select an option that automatically returns to the base station to charge.

If you are looking for a robovac that can do a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this class has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin and the water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically re-fill and wash its own mops when they're low.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a small home without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but is priced around 25% less.