Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums are great at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard and carpet floors. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.
Many models can be controlled by an app for smartphones, but others rely on a physical remote for operation. Some models come with advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and floor maps that can be modified.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like furniture, walls, and cords. They are equipped with object-avoidance technology that detect pets, toys, and other clutter which could block the path of the machine or get sucked up into the suction. These features can help you save time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck under the couch or behind the bed, making it able to complete its room cleanup more efficiently.
Some of the more advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create a map of your home. This lets them navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space, for instance when you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has but it could make a significant distinction in the performance and ease of use of your new device.
Many of the cheaper models rely on sensors to help them navigate around your home. They are able to work in many situations however they can get hung up on items that are too close like lamp cords and shoes. 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 home to keep out certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums can get caught up in larger objects such as large dog poop splatters or even chair legs. If the object is too big the robot may not be capable of lifting it and may be forced to push it to the edge of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you might need 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 featured here employ objects detection to identify what is in front of them even in dim lighting. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify up to 30 kinds of obstacles under optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Bases
A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you suffer from allergies or aren't able to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of each cleaning session. These units can hold up to 60 days of debris. They must be emptied less often than the robot's dustbin.
This feature is available on a variety of high-rated robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have purchase the self-emptying base on your own unless it's included in the robot.
Self-emptying bases will not only save your time, but also money on dust bags. It will also keep your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that are able to trap allergens, but they might require cleaning frequently. To maintain optimal performance you should use the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.
One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies use, some offer Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the device's performance. Generally speaking, the higher the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.
A good robot should also have features that are easy to use and an instruction manual that is easy to understand. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and resolve common issues, which is crucial as these machines aren't cheap. You should look for a thorough guide that explains setup as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. You should be able, if you are using an application on mobile, to control the robot to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up in rooms, zones or floors. Certain apps let you schedule specific cleaning times and even speak to the robot. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones and make custom cleaning plans. The best robots will let you save a cleaning plan and come back to it at any time. Then, if you forget to finish the task, the robot will resume where it left off.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the power as upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, however, their motors are efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their base, without you needing to join them. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for most homes and will give you enough time to tidy your entire apartment in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a challenging task, especially if have a large residence or pet hair on 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 trash bin and blow and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for its next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuums have a built-in or removable water tank that allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially useful when your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwood floors that require more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the same amount of suction as a traditional vacuum has and often struggle with liquid spills.
If you're looking for a machine that can also vacuum and mop, consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top choices are both high-quality and offer an excellent value. They all have a high suction level and come with a large, self-emptying base station. They do not have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, and therefore they won't be able to take on your entire home in one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The model isn't equipped with an integrated or removable water reservoir, however, it has an impressive suction level (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming by hand.
best affordable robot vacuum
While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they also require some daily maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. Select a model with an automatic bottom that can be empty to cut down on the amount of times you need to manually empty the bin when cleaning. This feature is especially useful if your pets shed a lot or if it's a habit to forget to clean up and mop.
In addition to basic features such as a rotating brush and suction, the majority of our top picks have extras that help reduce the time needed to clean. Consider a multisurface cleaner that has a removable mopping mat that's easy to attach and stays in position or a vacuum cleaner that uses LiDAR navigation to detect dirt spots in your home to remove them completely.
Certain models let you set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants to control the vacuum using your voice. Certain models come with advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and get around obstacles. However, you will be charged a premium for these premium features.
You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both carpeting and hardwoods. As with everything else when you're looking for more features it will cost more but there are options to suit every budget.
We have the best robotic vacuums for you, whether you need an easy bump and roll vac, or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away. best affordable robot vacuum and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your phone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.
For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops, as well as our buying guide for the best robotic vacs. Don't forget to check our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your Christmas delivery is on time.