Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums do an excellent job of removing pet hair and other particles on hard floors and in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application and others require a physical remote. Certain models come with advanced features like LiDAR navigation and editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems which allow them to stay clear of obstacles like cords, walls, and furniture. They also have technology to avoid objects that can detect pets, toys and other debris that could hinder the operation of the machine or be sucked up into the suction. These features can save you time cleaning by keeping your robot from getting stuck in the couch or behind the bed, which allows it to complete its cleaning more efficiently.
Some of the more advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes to your living space, like the moment you move a piece of furniture. This isn't a feature every robot is equipped with, but it can be a significant improvement in the efficiency and comfort of your new device.
Many of the cheaper models rely on sensors to guide them around your home. They are useful in many situations, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, such as shoes or lamp cords. These robots are also less expensive and don't have the capability of learning when an obstacle is missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items out.
Even the best robot vacuums will get caught up on larger items, like 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 to the edges of the room, leaving ugly skid marks on your floors. If it's pets or cats, you might have to block their path with a box, a piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which certain robots allow you to configure in the app).
The most advanced robotic vacuums featured below use object detection to determine what is in their path, even in low-light conditions. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for instance are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
Whether you have allergies or do not have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's trash bin after each cleaning session, self-emptying bins are an excellent feature to look for. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days worth of debris, so they need to be emptied far less often than the onboard bin 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 robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it's included with the robot.
Aside from reducing the amount of time you're spending cleaning bases that self-empty will also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home cleaner. Certain bases have separate filters for capturing allergens. self vacuum might need to be cleaned regularly, based on the model. To maintain optimal performance, you should always use the filters and other accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power a robot has. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies adhere to, some offer Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the robot's performance. In general the greater the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
A good machine should have user-friendly features and a user's manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual can aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot common problems, which is essential because these machines aren't expensive. You should look for a manual that includes guidelines for maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able in the event that you use an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up by rooms, zones, or individual floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions, and even control the robot with a voice. Many well-known brands allow you to make customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go zones. The most effective robots let you save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you want. If you fail to finish the task the robot will pick up where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, but their motors are energy efficient. This is why the top robot vacuums run for hours on a single charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their home base, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90 to 100 minutes is ideal for most households and allows you to clean your entire apartment in one go.
The typical dust bin on the robot vacuum has to be emptied every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, especially if have a large house or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own trash bin, and even wash and dry its filter after every use to ensure it is ready for the next vacuuming sessions.
Most robot vacuums also have a built-in or removable water tank that allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially useful when you have tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention in between your regular vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines typically don't have the same level of suction that traditional vacuums have and often struggle with liquid spills.
If you want a robot that can mop and vacuum, you should consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices provide excellent performance and a excellent value. Both robots come with a high degree of suction, and they come with a huge self-emptying station. They do not have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, however, therefore they won't be able to complete your entire house on one charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The inexpensive model doesn't come with a built-in or removable water reservoir, however, it does come with an impressive suction level (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S is not an ideal vacuum for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming sessions and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they also require some daily maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose a model with a self-emptying bin to reduce the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed a lot or have an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
In addition to standard features like suction and a rotating brush and suction, many of our top picks have extras that help reduce cleaning time even more. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that's easy to attach and remains in place or a vacuum cleaner that utilizes LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots in your home to clean them thoroughly.
Certain models let you set a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Certain models come with advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and get around obstacles. However, you'll be required to pay for these premium features.
There are robot vacuums that fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on floors made of wood to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else, the more features you'd like the more expensive, but there are reliable options for every price level.
If you're looking for a basic bump-and-roll vac or a smart-mapping model that can clean your washboard while you're away, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's also equipped with WiFi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
Check out our guide to robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Be sure to keep track of the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your Christmas delivery will arrive on time.