Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums excel at picking up pet hair, dust and other messes from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.
Certain models can be operated by a smartphone application and others require a physical remote. Certain models have advanced features such as LiDAR navigation, or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The top robot vacuums are equipped with sophisticated navigation systems that allow them to avoid obstacles such as walls, cords and furniture. They also have technology to avoid objects that can identify toys, pet foods and other debris that could get in the way of the machine or get caught up in the suction. These features will save you time in cleaning by preventing your robot from slipping in the couch or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its assigned room cleanup more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create maps. This allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes to your living space, such as when you move an item of furniture. This isn't something that every robot comes with, but it could be a significant improvement in the performance and convenience of your new gadget.
Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many situations, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close, like lamp cords and shoes. The less expensive robots do not have the capability to learn from a missed obstacle, so you might have to set up electronic keep-out zones around your house for certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums can get stuck on larger items such as chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. If the object is too big the robot may not be capable of lifting it and will likely be forced to push it over or around the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you might need to block their path with a box or furniture. robot vacuum cleaner cheap allow you to create a virtual barrier in the application.
The more advanced robotic vacuums listed here utilize object detection under low and optimal lighting conditions to determine what's right in the vicinity of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for instance are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Basses
A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you suffer from allergies or do not have the time to manually empty the dustbin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days worth of debris, so they should be emptied far less often than the bin on the robot's own.
This feature is available on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base separately, unless it comes with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases not only save you time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also help keep your home spotless. Some bases come with separate filters that can be used to remove allergens. They might need to be cleaned periodically, depending on the model. Always use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to ensure the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is an additional factor to be considered. There is no standard power scale used by all companies, but some offer Pascal (Pa) which gives you an idea of how the robot performs. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's guide that is easy to comprehend. A well-written user manual can assist you in learning the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is important as these machines aren't inexpensive. Look for a detailed guide that explains setup maintenance, troubleshooting and setup tips. You should be able, when using an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to view a list of the available settings. You can then arrange them in rooms, zones or even individual floors. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even command the robot with a voice. A few popular brands also allow you to create virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning plans. The most effective robots allow you to save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you want. If you do not remember to complete the task the robot will start where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums may not have the power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums but their motors are energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums can run for hours on a single charge. They can also recharge themselves and resume cleaning automatically when they are at their base, without the need to take them back there. In our tests, a battery life of 90 to 100 minutes is sufficient for the majority of households and will allow you to clean your entire apartment in one go.
The typical dust bin on a robot vacuum will need to be empty every couple of cleanings. This is a tedious task, especially when you have a large home or a lot of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum could save you a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin and even wash and blow dries its filter after each use, so it's ready for the next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank that lets them mop hard surfaces. This is especially beneficial if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don't have the same amount of suction as a traditional vacuum has and tend to struggle with spills of liquid.
If you're looking for a machine that can vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices offer excellent performance and great value. They all have a high suction level and come with a huge, self-emptying base station. They might not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots and therefore they might not be able to tackle the entire house with a single charge.
Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an integrated or removable water reservoir however, it has a nice level of suction (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum designed for stairs or furniture but it can be used to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they also require regular maintenance. Fortunately, some models require less effort than others. Select a model with a self-emptying bottom to reduce the amount of times you need to empty the bin manually during cleaning sessions. This feature is especially helpful for pet owners who shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to mop or sweep.
Most of our top picks come with additional features that help reduce the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. Look into a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is simple to put on and stays in position, or a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots around your home to remove them completely.
Some models let you create a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and also use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Certain models feature advanced software which can learn the layout of your home and overcome obstacles. However, you will be charged a premium for these premium features.
There are robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else, the more features you'd like, the higher the price however, there are dependable options at every price point.
We have the best robot vacuums for you, whether you need a basic bump and roll vac or one that has smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with an excellent technology for avoiding objects that allows it to move around toys and furniture and not become stuck. It's also equipped with WiFi and works with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
For more information on how to choose the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide to the top robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check out our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery arrives on time.