How to Find the best robot vacuum Combo Robot Vacuum

If you're willing to live without advanced features such as mapping, and don't mind emptying the dustbin every 60 days or then, a basic robot vacuum will probably work for you. Pick a model that has an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.

It is the best robo-vacuum we have tested for cleaning up pet hair from hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpeting. It can also map and set virtual no-go zones in rooms or areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum will stay clean of the dust, pet hair and dander that accumulates on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, which will save you both time and effort. The best combo robot vacuum mop models come with powerful suction, which will clean up most mess with ease and leave your home cleaner.

A robot vacuum that is also able to mop will allow you to achieve more coverage with one machine, which can be particularly beneficial in larger homes. You can find a model with a water tank either integrated into the chassis or as an additional piece that you can swap out after vacuuming. It will have to be emptied and filled in order to complete the task.

In the ideal world, you'd clear your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to keep it from crashing into objects. In the majority of homes, however it's not feasible or desirable. Thankfully, most models allow you to use a smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot will see and avoid. Some have no-go zones which you can use to flag areas you don't want it to be in, like kids' rooms or a pile of cords for your device in the corner.

This model is a good option for those looking for a simple robot cleaner without all the bells and whistles. It's quiet and is able to work on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile and can be programmed via the app to vacuum and mop at your leisure. It's got a long battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.

2. Easy to Operate

In general robot vacuums require little input from you. They use navigation tools like sensors and lasers to navigate around obstacles and suck up dust, food crumbs and pet hair from hard floors, tiles, hardwood and low-pile carpets. Many models come with boundary strips that allow them to remain in a room. More expensive models can be programmed to get up at a particular time and begin cleaning. Some models even have fall detection technology that prevents falling down the stairs or getting caught in electrical cords.

If you want to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of a couch, search for models that work with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also pick Wi-Fi models that allow you to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on the size of your home is, you might prefer an item that has a long battery life and a roomy dustbin that doesn't require being emptied frequently.

Certain robot vacuums are also mopping machines. They utilize water reservoirs to wash the floor. This is great for mopping, but not great for difficult messes such as pet poop and other spills. You can choose hybrids that have a removable microfiber mopping pad, or a self-emptying version that allows you to go for up to 60 days without emptying the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots use advanced mapping technologies to build a detailed map of your floorplan as they clean, making it easier for them to avoid crashing into furniture or tripping over things such as cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models, but it lets your robot have a thorough understanding of your home's layout and knows where to go when the battery runs out.

If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your home you'd prefer it to stay clear from (like your kids' toys or the mess of device cords in the corner) The majority of robots offer the possibility of creating virtual barriers, either through their apps or physical boundary strips. This lets you block off zones that you don't want your robot explore, so that it can concentrate its attention on the rooms and spaces that need the most cleaning.

Many robots also automatically change floors depending on the type of floor they are cleaning. This can be done by changing from carpet to hard flooring, or by focussing on specific areas of your house, such as corners and baseboards. In our tests it was a great feature that improved their scores on picking up carpeting made of low-pile or hardwood. It's important to tuck away any furniture or cords that are loose before using your robot vacuum, to ensure that it doesn't get caught.

4. Remote Control

Most robot vacuums have WiFi capabilities and can be controlled using voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many robot vacuums connect to smart home systems, and can create an outline of the area they clean after each cleaning session. This allows them to "learn" how your home is laid out, and then plan more efficient routes for future cleaning sessions. Some also have built-in obstacle avoidance that stops them from hitting and damaging furniture or getting stuck on things like charging cables that are loose, shoe laces and hair from pets.

Most robots come with a remote you can use to steer them around your home. Most robots are operated by mobile applications which has more options. You can set up a variety of cleaning schedules and make a list with your favorite rooms. You can also manually guide the robot by using directional the arrows.

Some models provide no-go zones, which are virtual barriers you can set up within the app to prevent the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog beds and bowls). Some apps allow you to draw an image of your home and provide more detailed information about the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has a number of useful features that will assist you in cleaning your home. However, its interface isn't quite as polished as iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacs that can work throughout the house without stopping to recharge or empty their dust bins can save you time and energy. Some are compatible with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also draw an outline of the space to allow you to program them for specific areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.

Most robot vacuums offer some degree of detection of objects and object detection, but more expensive models like the iRobot j7 come with advanced features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance, which can make your life easier (although our test bot did "eat" a pair of socks). If you're looking to push your home cleaning to the next level consider a robot mop with a water tank that you fill and empty yourself.

While no of the models we tested could compete with the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum, they did a great job cleaning hard floors and carpets with a low pile. They are great at sweeping up fine dust and debris, food particles, dirt tracked in and pet hair. They are also able to tackle pet litter that is stray and metal screws and nuts. The best robot vacs can easily work their way around furniture, and they are great at cleaning corners and edges as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively basic and affordable model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum can keep your home tidy and clean without having to do many tasks. You can schedule cleanings through the app, and create no-go zones to ensure that your robot does not step on your plants or favorite chair. A majority of our top picks will empty their dustbins for you and clean their docking station.

The best robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for months or even weeks at a time, removing you from the time-consuming task of manually sweeping and mopping your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This lets you spend more time doing things you enjoy and cuts down on the amount of time your floors need to be cleaned manually.

During tests the Q Revo was able to grab small particles such as baking soda and oatmeal. It also picked up heavier debris like nails and screws made of steel, as well as fluffy things like pet hair. It doesn't have the smart mapping and object avoidance features found in our top picks, but it works well enough for the majority of families.

The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords and socks, shoes, and pet waste. This means you don't have to spend time tidying up before running your robot, but clutter in your home can mean the robot may become stuck and not perform as well.