The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a small trash bin that they empty by themselves. Others are controlled with an app on your smartphone instead of a physical remote. Some have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. The ultra-thin shape of the square allows it to slide underneath furniture like couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It also does a great job of cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris that can be found near baseboards and in corners.

Other powerful robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking stations that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and effective mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.

A model with 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent but they're not the same volume as conversations at home.

For the best robot vacuum and mop mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires a lot of power. Check your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedule prior to choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get 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 isn't able to perform its job effectively without knowing how to get around your home. For this reason, the best robots rely on sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main 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, which provides the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are employed in lower-end models, however they can be inaccurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. 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 such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.

Consider features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can even apply cleaning solutions to stubborn staining.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying, while a larger one will save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic cleaners use a small disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models have larger dustbins of 3L that last a long time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tank for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums that mop vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that lets you start or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as stairs, and avoid running into furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that need it most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the stairs, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you are planning to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that can perform both dry and wet mopping. You'll be able to get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. This is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Examine the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have been stuck to them. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Like the name suggests, robot vacuums are designed to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect small particles such as sand and baking soda, in addition to larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also have better results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95 percent. 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 apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.

They both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also among the few robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It comes with LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while keeping your floors in perfect in good condition. It is still necessary to manually clean your home every so often but robovacs can aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness, and will even keep your home clean when you're away.

Find a robovac equipped with an extended-lasting battery to get the most of it. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also select an automatic vacuum cleaner model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a little amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.

The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810 because of its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a an apartment without pets, it may be too pricey for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25 percent less.