Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums do a great job of picking up pet hair and other debris on hard floors and in carpet. They leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.
Many models can be controlled by apps for smartphones, however others require the use of a physical remote to operate. Some include advanced features such as LiDAR navigation or floor maps that can be edited.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that keep away obstacles such as furniture, walls and cords. They also feature object-avoidance technology to identify toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can save you time cleaning by keeping your robot from slipping under the sofa or behind the bed and making it able to complete its assigned room cleaning tasks more efficiently.
Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create a map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also detect changes in your living space, for instance when you move an item of furniture. This isn't something every robot has, but it could make a significant difference in the performance and comfort of your new device.
The majority of cheaper models rely on simple sensors to help them navigate around your home. They can be useful in many situations however, they can get caught up in objects that are too close, like shoes and lamp cords. The cheaper robots lack the capability to learn from an obstacle that was missed which is why you may need to create digital keep-out zones in your house for certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums will get caught up on larger items such as large pet poop or chair legs. If the object is too big the robot cleaner might not be capable of lifting it, and will be forced to push it across or around the edges of the room, leaving ugly skid marks on your floors. If you have dogs or cats it is possible to block its path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to configure in the application).
The advanced robotic vacuums listed below use objects detection to identify what is in their path even in dim lighting. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for instance are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
Self-emptying bases can be an excellent feature, regardless of whether you have allergies or simply do not have the time to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. They can hold between 45 to 60 days of debris, so they should be emptied more frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
Several top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature such as iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robot the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need to purchase the self emptying base on your own unless it's included in your robot.
In addition to cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning bases that self-empty can also help you save money on new dust bags and keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters for capturing allergens. They may require to be cleaned frequently, based on the manufacturer. To maintain optimal performance you should use the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.
The suction power of a robot is another factor to consider. There isn't a standard power scale that is used by all companies, however some provide Pascal (Pa), which gives you a sense of how the device performs. In general the higher the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and resolve common issues, which is important because these machines aren't inexpensive. You should seek out a manual that includes instructions on maintenance setting up, troubleshooting and configuration. You should be able in the event that you use an application on mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can then arrange them by rooms, zones or even individual floor surfaces. Certain apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions and even voice-command the machine. A number of popular brands let you create customized cleaning plans and create virtual no-go zones. The best robots allow you to save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you want. If you fail to complete the task the robot will pick up where it left off.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums don't have the same power as fully-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. The most effective robot vacuums can last for hours on a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their home base, without needing to be there. In our tests, a battery life of 90 to 100 minutes is the ideal time for most households and allows you to clean an entire house in one move.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum must be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a difficult task, especially when you have a large home or lots of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. This is where a self-emptying robot vacuum can save you a lot of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own dust bin and wash and dry its filter after every use to ensure it is ready for its next session of vacuuming.
Most robot vacuums have an ejector or built-in water tank which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially useful when your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwood floors that require more attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to remove liquid spills.
Think about a robot that can vacuum and mop simultaneously such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both high-quality and offer an excellent value. They both have a decent level of suction and come with a large, self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, and so they might not be able to take on your entire house on one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The cheapest model doesn't have a removable or built-in water reservoir. It does however have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floor. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs but it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are fantastic for saving time and energy, but they require daily maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For instance, select an item with a self-emptying base to cut down on the number times you have to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning sessions. This feature is particularly useful when your pet sheds a lot or if it's an habit to not remember to sweep up and mop.
Many of our top picks include additional features that help reduce cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and holds well, or a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots around your home, so it can be slowed down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models let you set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum using your voice. robot floor cleaner come with advanced software which can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles. However, you will have to pay a premium for these features.
You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on floors made of wood to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can mop and vacuum hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things the more features you require the more expensive, but there are reliable options at every price point.
We have the top robot vacuums for you, whether you require an easy bump and roll vac, or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing board while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's got wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
For more tips on choosing the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Be sure to keep track of our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery arrives in time.