Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums do a great job of removing pet hair and other particles on hard floors and in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Many models can be controlled with apps for smartphones, however others require a physical remote for operation. Some models include advanced features like LiDAR navigation and floor plans that can be edited.
Object Avoidance
The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like walls, furniture, and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to detect toys, pet food, and other clutter 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 getting stuck under the couch or behind the bed, which allows it to complete its assigned room cleaning more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This allows them to navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature every robot comes with, but it could significantly improve the efficiency and comfort of your new device.
robot vacuum cleaner best of the less expensive models rely on simple sensors to guide them around your home. These can work well in many situations, but they can easily get hung up on items that are too close like lamp cords and shoes. These robots are cheaper and don't have the ability to learn when an obstacle is missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.
Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items, like large pet poop or chairs legs. The robot cleaner won't be able lift massive objects and may be forced to push them over or around the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly skids on your floors. If it's a cat or dog it is possible to block their path using a box, a piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to set up within the application).
The more advanced robotic vacuums in this list make use of object detection, which works under low and optimal lighting conditions to detect what's in the area in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 types of obstacles under optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases can be an excellent feature, regardless of whether you suffer from allergies or do not have the time to manually empty the dustbin of your robot vacuum at the end of each cleaning session. These units can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris. They must be emptying less often than the dustbin of the robot.
A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature such as iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base on your own, except if it's with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases not only save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters to capture allergens. They may require to be cleaned periodically, depending on the brand. To ensure optimal performance, you should always use the filters and other accessories suggested by the manufacturer.
One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power that a robot is equipped with. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies use, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the device's performance. In general the greater the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.
A quality robot should come with features that are easy to use, as well as a user's guide that is simple to follow. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and help you troubleshoot common problems, which is essential since these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. If you're using a mobile app to control the robot, you'll be able to see the list of available settings and set them according to zones, rooms or individual floor surfaces. Some apps allow you to plan specific cleaning sessions and even speak to the robot. Many popular brands allow you to make customized cleaning plans and create virtual no-go zones. The most effective robots allow you to save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you want. Then, if you forget to complete the task, the robot will resume where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Although robot vacuums don't have the same power as full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. This is why the top robot vacuums run for hours on a single charge. They can also recharge themselves and resume cleaning automatically when they reach their base without you having to escort them back. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to thoroughly clean your entire home in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleans. This is a time-consuming task, especially when you have a big home or a lot of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums will help you avoid a lot of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dust bin, and even wash and dry its filter after every use to ensure it is prepared for its next session of vacuuming.
The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when you have tiled or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping robots typically don't have the same amount of suction as traditional vacuums have and are more prone to squishy with spills of liquid.
If you want a robot that can both vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices offer excellent performance and great value. Both models are equipped with high levels of suction, and they come with a huge, self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, though, therefore they won't be able to take on your entire home on a single charge.
Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. This inexpensive model doesn't have an internal or removable water reservoir, however, it has a nice level of suction (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be utilized to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't able to vacuum stairs or furniture but it's an excellent choice to keep your floors clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they require regular maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. Choose a model that has self-emptying bottoms to reduce the amount of times you need to empty the bin manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful in the event that your pet sheds often or have the norm to not sweep up and mop.
The majority of our top picks have additional features that help reduce cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Look into a multisurface cleaner that has a removable mopping mat that's easy to attach and remains in position as well as a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots in your home, allowing it to remove them completely.
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. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles however, you'll need to pay for these premium features.
You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+ that can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. As with most things when you're looking for more features you will pay more, but there are options for everyone's budget.
We have the best robotic vacuums for your needs, whether it's a a basic bump and roll vac, or one with intelligent mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 has an excellent technology for avoiding objects, and can maneuver around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's equipped with wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic mops, as well as our buying guide for the best robotic vacs. Don't forget to check our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure your holiday delivery is on time.