11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled by a smartphone app rather than an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is enough to get rid of even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. The ultra-thin design of the square allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning pet hair baking soda, sand, and other debris that can be found near baseboards and in corners.

Other high-powered robots in this list besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba J7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a sturdy docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every flooring type test we conducted.

In the lower price range, a unit that has 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those with sensitive hearing. They're not silent but they're not as loud as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and efficiency. For regular light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with less suction is recommended. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot automatic vacuum cleaner cannot perform its task if it does not know how to navigate around your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three main types of robot vacuum uk navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based and camera-based.

LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots I tested used object recognition to navigate around things like fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when necessary. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, while a bigger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, while most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums best vacuums can also be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have an on-screen remote that allows you to start or pause and then return to dock. Pick a model that comes with a larger trash bin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs have mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid hitting furniture. Certain robovacs let you create no-go zones as well as specific rooms so that they only clean those areas which need it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to prevent them from falling, which is especially useful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad too, which you can then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roller, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller that is found on less expensive models. It's recommended to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every week or once as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

4. Debris collection

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can pick up tiny particles, such as baking soda and sand, and larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on low-pile carpets than the majority of manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had a pickup score over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also feature 8,000Pa suction, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance technology that helps them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove mop pads. This makes it a perfect option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.

If you're seeking a lower-cost alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but it is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums are designed to let you move on with your life while they keep your floors in tip-top clean. You'll still need to manually vacuum your home from time to time, but robovacs will aid in maintaining a certain level of cleanliness and even clean when you are away.

Look for a robovac with an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is smaller than a larger vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to wait around while your robovac charges you, you can choose one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, then think about an option that also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops as soon as they run out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a small home with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The runner-up is the Dreametech D10+, has the same performance, however it costs 25 percent less.