Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums are great at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard floors and carpets. 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. Certain models come with advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The top robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that allow them to avoid obstacles like walls, cords and furniture. They also have object-avoidance technology to identify toys, pet food and other items that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will help you save time by stopping your robot from becoming trapped under the couch or behind a bed.
Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize cameras and lasers to create an outline map. This lets them navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect any changes to your living space, for instance if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has but it can make a huge difference in the performance and comfort of your new appliance.
The majority of cheaper models rely on sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many situations, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as lamps or shoes. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from an obstacle that was missed, so you might have to set up digital keep-out zones in your home for specific objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums could be stuck on larger objects such as chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. The robot cleaner won't be able to lift large objects and could be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This could leave ugly scratches on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you might have to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots will permit you to create a virtual barrier within the application.
The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list use object detection that works in low and optimal light conditions to detect what's in the vicinity of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example, have TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases are an excellent feature, regardless of whether you suffer from allergies or don't have time to manually empty the dustbin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These devices hold anywhere from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they need to be emptied much less frequently than the bin on the robot's own.
This feature is offered on a variety of high-rated robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it's included in your robot.
In addition to reducing the amount of time you're spending cleaning, a self-emptying base can also save money on dust bags that need to be replaced and help keep your home clean. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, but they might need to be cleaned out periodically. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. There isn't a standard power scale used by all companies, but some offer Pascal (Pa) which provides a rough idea of how the device performs. Generally speaking the greater the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good machine should have user-friendly features and a user's guide that is simple to read. A well-written manual can aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot problems as they arise. This is vital as these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out an instruction manual that contains guidelines for maintenance setting up, troubleshooting and configuration. You should be able when using an application on mobile, to control the robot, to view a list of the available options. You can set them up in rooms, zones or even individual floors. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot with a voice. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning schedules. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and come back to it at any point. Then, if you forget to complete the task the robot will start where it left off.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums may not have the power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums however, their motors are efficient. The best robot vacuums are able to run for several hours on a single charge of batteries. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their home base, without needing to join them. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90 to 100 minutes is the ideal time for most households and allows you to clean the entire apartment in one go.
The typical dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be empty every couple of cleanings. This can be a challenging task, especially if you have a large house or pet hair on your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums will help you avoid a amount of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dustbin, and even wash and dry its filter after every use, so that 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 mop hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if you have heavily tiled floors or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping machines don't typically have the same suction power as traditional vacuums and are unable to clean up liquid spills.
Think about a robot that can vacuum and mop simultaneously like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both high-quality and offer excellent value. Both are equipped with high levels of suction, and both have a large self-emptying station. They might not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots therefore they might not be able to take on the entire house with a single charge.
robotic vacuum cleaner best for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't equipped with a built-in or removable water reservoir, however, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pascals (or Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming sessions.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they require regular maintenance. Fortunately, some models require less effort than others. Select a model with a self-emptying bottom to reduce the amount of times you have to manually empty the bin during cleaning. This feature is particularly useful when your pet sheds often, or if it's an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
Most of our top picks come with additional features that reduce cleaning time. These include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is simple to attach and stays in the right place, or a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots around your home to clean them thoroughly.
Some models let you set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with 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 features.
You can find robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+, which can vacuum and mop both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things the more features you want, the higher the price however, there are dependable options at every price point.
We have the top robot vacuums for you, whether you require a basic bump and roll vac or one that has intelligent mapping that can clean your washing machine while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's wifi-equipped and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleaning times or remotely control the vac.
For more information on how to choose the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the best robotic vacs. Don't forget to check out our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your delivery for the holidays is on time.
