How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to do some work to keep your robot's home in order. This means removing debris, tidying up loose cords and knotted rugs.
Find a model that has an automatic emptying bin. This makes it easier to clean up spills and messes. You might also consider two-in-ones that vacuum and mop.
Features
You can choose a robot vacuum cleaner that has smart features that are suited to your house's requirements. Some models are able to map your home's layout to create floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that can show live video feeds. These cameras can be used to identify obstacles and assist in problem solving. Certain robots come with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions or adjust the frequency.
If you're looking for a machine that can also mop and vacuum, search for a model with a self-emptying dustbin. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is among the top choices we've tried since it comes with both features for a low price. It has a small suction opening that is similar to those on upright vacuums, allowing to collect debris more efficiently than other robots. It also comes with side brushes that have three bristles to push dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is the best in its class for a variety of reasons, including its high-quality mopping, navigation and the low price.
The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins that last for several weeks without having to be empty. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dust bins and intelligent features that offer an unhands-free cleaning experience is a fantastic example. It comes with a small mopping mat that can remove dirt that has gotten stuck to the floor. It can also glide over mats and carpets that are too heavy for other robots. Its sensors can assist in locating areas that are more prone to dirt, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.
The Eufy Clean X10 is another popular choice, and the application has a user-friendly interface that makes setting up customization options quick and simple. Its lidar mapping is quick and accurate. Click To See More allows rooms to be divided easily for a thorough cleaning. It has a great anti-object system that can take in Cheerios and even avoid fake dog poop. However, it did have difficulties with stairs. Its square front design, however, helped it reach corners more efficiently than other robots we've evaluated. It's also capable of bending its edges which allows it to sweep across baseboards effortlessly.
Cleaning performance
While robots can't clean deep into carpets or sweep up dirt that has been ground in, as a real vacuum cleaner, they are capable of picking up fine particles like dust and baking soda and heavier debris such as pet hair and metal screws. They can also clean up spills and crumbs. Making sure that your robot is maintained with regular maintenance like emptying the dustbin cleaning or changing the filter, and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure that it has the longest lifespan possible.
The best robots are great at picking up fine particles from hard floors and low pile carpets. They're also good at removing orzo sand and wood shavings. They can pick up screws made of metal and cat litter, however they struggle with slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive on stairs and aren't always able to catch everything that's thrown around the furniture's edges.
Some models excel at cleaning also. The iRoborock Roomba 900 is one of them, and it does a great job getting rid of coffee spills and other liquids as well as sticky or dried-on food messes from hardwood. The robot's smart spot and area cleaning options let you set up the area it is to concentrate on. This way, the robot won't be wasting time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot which does a great job of mopping, and it offers an additional advantage over the Roborock: the option to first vacuum before you mop, which is better at cleaning up spills from high-pile carpets.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a top mopping robot. It's more expensive than Roomba but it has superior suction. It also has the ability to handle a greater variety of flooring types and textures. It is also able to return to the charging station after running out of water, allowing it to continue cleaning where it started. Its app offers lots of other features, too with a feature that automatically schedules regular cleaning sessions. It's also very quiet, making it a good option for homes with children or pets.
Cost
The top robot cleaners are affordable and come with a variety of smart features that will allow you to save money over time. You'll need to think about how much you need a vacuum and a mop to get the most value for your money. Some models include additional features that you may not need, but may be useful, such as an automatic emptying bin or efficient navigation.
It is recommended to invest in a model that does both vacuums and mops is the most economical choice. It's important to note that the robot vacuum is only as effective as the dirt it picks up, so it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming to make room for using a robot cleaner.
Spending $500 on a robot capable of both vacuuming as well as mopping is not unreasonable. A good example is the iRobot Combo j9+. The robot scored high in CR's tests and can clean floors that are not bare and carpets. It also has a user-friendly application that lets you see its cleaning route and define no-go zones. Jaclyn discovered that the mopping feature could be improved since it is based on gentle pressure and a dragging motion rather than scrubbering.
However, if you're in a pinch it's possible to find a bargain on a top-rated robot vacuum that is able to do one job, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet, and it performed well on tile floors, hardwood floors carpets, and carpets with low pile. It also did a great job when it came to cleaning up pet hair and litter.
A few robots with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation systems that fail to provide a coverage map, and are more likely to become stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots are still able to clean your floors but they're not as efficient or are able to navigate around household obstacles.
Another option is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which earned high marks for both its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo j9+, however it's easy to use and performs admirably on floors that are not bare and carpets. It's also light and can be easily pushed under furniture without getting caught.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is a great method of keeping your home clean, especially in the case of pets or children. However, it requires some attention to ensure it is in good shape. Regular cleaning, such as emptying bins of dust, washing or changing filters, and wiping sensors and cameras, can extend the life span of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines however, you can extend the life of your vacuum if you follow the manufacturer's instructions to empty and clean its dustbin, brush roller, and filter. Clean the charging contacts on the robot's sensor with a damp rag to avoid them becoming clogged.
This model is an excellent choice when you're looking for a durable, smart robot that is also simple to use. Its slim and sleek design allows it to be placed under couches that are low and ottomans to collect dirt that's not visible. The app allows you to pick rooms and schedule cleaning as well as set no-go zones and adjust cleaning intensity.
This model is a little more expensive than the other models on this list, but it comes with many features that make up for that. Its mapping speed is quick and it can save four maps of your house in 3D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robots that we tested, and its battery lasts about three hours per charge.
The Romba 11s is an extremely versatile vacuum cleaner that performs well on walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is more than any other vacuum we tried. It comes with a variety of smart features, including a spot-cleaning feature as well as an automatic boost mode. It makes use of random navigation to ensure that it doesn't have to clean the same spots repeatedly.
The only downside to this robot is that it lacks the ability to detect bare floors and can be confused by large carpets or rug. It's perfect for small apartments or single-family homes with narrow hallways as well as furniture that is a lot of narrow hallways.