The best robot vacuums excel at picking up dust, pet hair and other debris from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.
Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application, while others require a physical remote. Certain models have advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The top robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles like walls, cords, and furniture. They also feature object-avoidance technology to detect pets, toys and other debris that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will save you time by making sure that your robot is not stuck in the couch or behind a bed.
Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create the map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has but it can make a huge difference to the performance and comfort of your new device.
A lot of the less expensive models rely on simple sensors to guide them around your home. They are able to work in many situations, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close, such as lamp cords and shoes. They are cheaper and don't have the ability to recognize when they miss an obstacle. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects out.
Even the best robot vacuums could get stuck on larger objects such as chair legs or dog waste poop messes. If the object is too big, the robotic cleaner may not be capable of lifting it and may be forced to push it over or around the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you may have to block their path by using a furniture or box. Some robots allow you to create a virtual barrier in the application.
The most advanced robotic vacuums in this list utilize object detection in optimal and low-light conditions to detect what's in the vicinity of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology can detect more than 30 types of obstacles under optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Basses
If you suffer from allergies or simply do not have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's trash bin after every cleaning session, self-emptying bases are a convenient feature to look for. These devices can hold up to 60 days worth of dust. They should be cleaned less often than the dustbin of the robot.
A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature that includes the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base on your own, unless it comes included with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases will not only save your time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters to capture allergens. These may need to cleaned frequently, based on the manufacturer. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for filters and accessories to ensure the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is an additional aspect to take into consideration. There is no standard power scale that is used by all companies, however some offer Pascal (Pa), which gives you an idea of how the device performs. Generally speaking, the higher the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.
A reputable robot must have features that are easy to use, as well as an instruction manual that is simple to follow. A well-written guide will aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot problems as they arise. This is vital because these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out the manual that provides instructions on maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. If you're using an app on your mobile to control the robot, you should be able to view the list of available settings and set them according to rooms, zones or floors. Certain apps let you plan specific cleaning sessions and Robotvacuummops.Com even speak to the robot. A few popular brands also allow you to create virtual no-go zones and create custom cleaning plans. The top robots allow you to save your cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you want. If you forget to finish the task, the robot will continue where it left off.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the same power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, however, their motors are efficient. The most effective robot vacuums can last for hours with a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and begin cleaning automatically once they reach their base without having to drag them back there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and will give you enough time to tidy your entire home in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum must be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a daunting task, particularly if you have a large home or a lot of pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum can save you from a lot of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after each use, so that it is ready for the next cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums also come with a removable or built-in water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when you have tiled floors or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the level of suction that traditional vacuums have and are more prone to squishy with spills of liquid.
Consider a robot which can mop and vacuum simultaneously such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks provide excellent performance and a excellent value. They both have a good suction level and come with a large self-emptying base station. They do not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, though, so they may not be able to complete your entire home in one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The model isn't expensive and doesn't come with a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it does have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floor. The 11S can't vacuum furniture or stairs however it's a great choice for keeping your floors clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are fantastic to save time and energy, but they require constant maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. For example, choose an item that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning sessions. This feature is especially helpful when you have pets that shed a lot, or if you are prone to forgetting to sweep and mop.
In addition to the basic features such as suction and rotating brushes, most of our top picks also come with additional features that will cut down cleaning time even more. Think about a multisurface cleaner which includes a mopping mat that's easy to put on and stays in place as well as a vacuum that makes use of LiDAR navigation to identify dirt areas around your home, allowing it to clean them thoroughly.
Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule, designate the rooms to be cleaned, and also use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some have advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay more for these advanced features.
Robot vacuums are available in a range of prices, ranging from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro which is only suitable for hardwood floors, up to $1,600 for the Roborock Q5 max+ that can vacuum and mop hardwood floors and carpets. As with most things the more features you require, the higher the price, but there are reliable choices at any price point.
If you're looking for a basic bump-and-roll vac or an intelligent-mapping model that will clean your washing machine while you're on vacation, we've got the best robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings or remotely control the vac.
For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Make sure to look over our recommended shipping dates so that your delivery for the holidays is on time.
