How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll have to put some effort in the home maintenance of your robot. This includes clearing out clutter, tidying up loose cords and tangled rugs.

Look for a model with a self-emptying bin. This will make it easier for you to clean up spills. You may want two-in-one vacuums and mops.

Features

Based on your needs for your home, you can choose the best robot cleaner with advanced features. Some models map your home to create floor plans, while others include an integrated camera that can show live video feeds. These cameras can also be used to identify issues and assist in problem-solving. Some robots even have a feature that lets you plan cleaning sessions and alter the frequency.

If you're looking for a machine that can mop and vacuum, look for one with an automatic emptying dustbin. Ecovacs Deebot Pro is among our top picks since it comes with both features at reasonable prices. It has a suction opening that is similar to upright vacuums. This helps it pick up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also has side brushes that have three bristles that push dirt and hair into the path of the robot. This model is the top of its kind for a variety reasons, including its mopping ability effective navigation, and its the low cost.

The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins, that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an excellent example of a high-end robot with a self-emptying dustbin and clever features that allow for hands-free operation. It comes with a tiny mopping pad which scrubs dirt off and is able to glide over light rugs and mats that make other robots stumble. Its sensors help it find dirtier areas, and it can also mop and vacuum simultaneously.

Eufy Clean X10, with its user-friendly app is another excellent choice. The options for customization are easy and quick to set up. The lidar-powered mapping it uses is fast and precise and allows you to easily divide rooms for a thorough clean. It has a fantastic anti-object system that can consume Cheerios and even avoid fake dog poop. However, it did have some issues with stairs. Its square front design however, helped it navigate around corners more effectively than the majority of other robots we've evaluated. It also has the ability to edge-hug, which helps it to effortlessly sweep along baseboards.

Cleaning performance

While robots aren't able to clean deep into carpets or clean up dirt that has been ground in, as a real vacuum cleaner, they are capable of removing fine particles like dust and baking soda and heavier debris like pet hair and screws made of metal. They also can sweep up spills and crumbs. Maintaining a routine of maintenance, such as emptying the trash bin cleaning or replacing the filter and wiping down sensors and cameras, will help you get the longest possible life span from your robot.

The best robots are capable of removing fine particles from carpets with low pile and hard floors, and they're especially good at sweeping up orzo, sand and wood shavings. They can even pick up cat litter and screws made of metal, though they tend to struggle with slower items such as baked flour or coffee grounds. They're not as impressive on stairs, and don't always grab everything around the edges.

A few models excel at mopping also. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance is a model that can do an excellent job of cleaning hardwood floors. It can get rid of coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food messes. Its intelligent zones and spot cleaning modes allow you to create a specific area for the robot to concentrate on, so that it doesn't take too long to vacuum areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a excellent job at mopping, but it has one advantage over the Roborock. It can first vacuum, and afterwards mop to clean up spills and stains on high-pile rug.

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a top mopping robot. It's a bit more expensive than the Roomba however it comes with superior suction and is able to handle a wider range of flooring types and textures. It also returns to the charging station when it runs out of water and continues cleaning the area where it left off. Its app comes with a myriad of features, including the ability to schedule recurring cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet, making it a good option for homes with children or pets.

Cost

The best robot cleaners perform well for a reasonable cost and many come with clever features that can help you save money in the long run. Take into consideration the amount you'll need for an air cleaner and a mop in order to get the most value for your buck. Certain models come with additional features you might not need, but may be useful, such as a self-emptying bin or efficient navigation.

The most cost-effective choice is to buy robot vacuum cleaner an item that can perform both mops as well as vacuums. It is important to remember that a robot vacuum cleaner will only be as good as the dirt they collect.

It is possible to pay about $500 for a robot that does both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. It scored high in CR's testing, and it can clean carpets and bare floors. It has an intuitive app which allows you to view its cleaning route and set no-go areas. Jaclyn Turner discovered that the mopping function could be improved, since it is based on a dragging system with a light pressure, rather than true scrub.

If you're on the budget, you can find a bargain for robot vacuums that are highly rated and only does one thing, like the Eufy 11S. Its sleek design is slim and quiet and it excelled on tile floors, hardwood floors carpets, and carpets with low pile. It also didn't miss a beat when it came to picking up pet hair and litter.

Some robots that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation systems that don't provide a coverage map, and are more likely to get stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots are still able clean your floors but they are not as efficient or able navigate around obstacles that are common to household use.

Another alternative is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which received high marks for its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as sophisticated as the Combo j9+, however it's easy to use and performs admirably on both floors that are unfinished and carpets. It is also relatively lightweight and can be moved under furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot cleaner is an excellent way to keep your house clean, especially in the case of children or pets. However, it needs some attention to ensure it is in top shape. Regular cleaning, such as emptying the dust bins, washing or changing filters, and wiping sensors and cameras, can extend the life span of your robot.

Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines however, you can extend the life of your vacuum if you follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying and cleaning its dustbin, brush roller and filter. You should also wipe down the robot's sensor and charging contacts with a damp cloth in order to prevent them from becoming clogged with dirt.

This model from Eufy is a great choice to get a smart robust, sturdy robot that is easy to use. Its ultra-slim and sleek design allows it to be placed under couches that are low and ottomans, allowing it to access dirt that's hidden. The app makes it simple to choose rooms and plan the cleaning schedule, as well as set no-go zones and alter cleaning intensity.

This robot is a bit more costly than the other models in this list, but it comes with numerous features that will make up for it. Its mapping is fast and it can save four maps of your home in 2D or 3D. It's also among the quieter robotic vacuum cleaner deals devices we test. The battery lasts for about three hours.

The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum cleaner that can work well on walls. In our tests, it cleaned up to 1.3 inch away from the wall. This is higher than any other robots we tried. It comes with a variety of smart features including a spot cleaning feature as well as an automatic cleaning robot boost mode. It makes use of random navigation to ensure that it doesn't have to clean the same spots repeatedly.

This robot has one disadvantage: it can't detect floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by carpets and rug. However, it's a great option for those who live in a small apartment or a single-family house with narrow hallways and lots of furniture.