Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums excel at picking up pet hair, dust and other messes from hard and carpet floors. However they leave a lot behind on the baseboards and furniture.
Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application however others require physical remotes. Certain models come with advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems that stay clear of obstacles like walls, furniture and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to recognize toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can save you time cleaning by preventing your robot from getting stuck in the couch or behind the bed, making it able to complete its room cleaning more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create maps. This lets them navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes to your living space, such as when you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature every robot has, but it can be a significant improvement in the performance and convenience of your new appliance.
Many of the cheaper models rely on simple sensors to help them navigate around your home. They can be useful in a variety of situations however, they can become entangled with objects that are too close, like shoes and lamp cords. The cheaper robots lack the ability to learn from an obstacle that was missed, so you might have to set up digital keep-out zones within your house for certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums can get stuck on larger objects like chair legs or dog waste poop messes. The robotic cleaner will not be able lift large objects and may be forced to push them around or over the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly flooring with sludge. If you have dogs or cats, you might have to block their path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to set up within the application).
The advanced robotic vacuums listed here employ objects detection to identify what is in the front of them even in dim lighting. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 types of obstacles under optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases are an excellent feature, regardless of whether you suffer from allergies or aren't able to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days worth of trash, which means they should be emptied more frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
This feature is available on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base separately, except if it's with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases will not just save you time, but also save you money on dust bags. It also keeps your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer certain bases come with separate filters that are able to trap allergens, however they will require cleaning regularly. To maintain optimal performance, you should always use the filters and other accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
The suction power of a robot is an additional factor to consider. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the robot's performance. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
A reputable robot must include features that are simple to use and a user's guide that is easy to understand. A well-written user manual can assist you in learning the basics and resolve common issues, which is important since these machines aren't expensive. You should seek out the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance setting up, troubleshooting and configuration. You should be able if you are using an application on mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available options. You can then set them up in rooms, zones or even individual flooring surfaces. Some apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even allow you to voice-command the robot. Some of the most popular brands let you set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning plans. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning plan and then return to it at any point. If you forget to finish the task, then the robot will resume where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums may not have the same power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums however, their motors are efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning themselves when they get to their base without you having to escort them back. In our tests, a battery life of 90-100 minutes is ideal for most households and allows you to clean the entire home in one move.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleans. This can be a challenging task, especially if have a large home 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 dustbin and wash and dry its filter after each use to ensure it is ready for its next vacuuming sessions.
Most robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially beneficial if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to clean up liquid spills.
Think about a robot that can vacuum and mop simultaneously such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both high-quality and offer excellent value. They both have a good suction level and come with a large self-emptying base station. They may not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots therefore they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single battery charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. This inexpensive model doesn't have a built-in or removable water reservoir however, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pascals, or Pa) and can be utilized to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't a vacuum designed for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming sessions and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are fantastic for saving time and effort but they require daily maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose an item with a self-emptying bin to reduce the number of times you have to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful when your pet sheds a lot or have a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.
In addition to basic features such as suction and rotating brushes and suction, many of our top picks come with additional features that will cut down cleanup time even further. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with mopping pads that are removable, easy to attach and stays on well, or a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that can recognize dirt spots in your home, so it can be slowed down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models let you set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with your voice. Some have advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay for these advanced features.
There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+, which can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. As with most things, if you want more features, it will cost more but there are options for everyone's budget.
We have the best robot vacuums for you, whether you need an easy bump and roll vac or one with intelligent mapping that will clean your washing board while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with an excellent technology for avoiding objects that allows it to move around furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's 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, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic mops as well as our buying guide to the best robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check out our recommended shipping dates so that your holiday delivery is on time.