20 Tools That Will Make You Better At Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming 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 an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to aid in navigating your home with greater efficiency.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top choice for robot vacuum with mop vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide beneath furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports precise navigation and obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris near baseboards and in corners.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, other high-powered bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra comes with docking station that automatically performs maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction system, along with its efficient mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.
A model that has 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not the same volume as normal conversations at home.
Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and usability. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Then assess your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to select the best model for your requirements. We recommend looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report seeing their carpets and bare floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum to their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, offering the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in lower-end models, however they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app and the ability to clean by area, room or the entire house.
Think about features like sensors for floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use a small, disposable dust bag. However, the majority of middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins that last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions and connect to your smart home devices to allow hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Find a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others let you create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum to clean your rugs pick one that can perform dry mopping as well as wet. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad as well, which you can then wash and reattach when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Look for robots with the rubber roller. This is less likely to tangle from pet hair or other debris. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If you notice that they're starting to get blocked, it could be time to replace parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name implies robot vacuum that mops vacuums are made to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can take tiny particles like sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones like metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that can help them navigate even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can vacuum carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it an ideal choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming often.
If you want a cheaper option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is prone to bumping into obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.
5. Battery life
The best robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in perfect state. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.
To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, look for a model with excellent battery life. A good guideline is to expect a model to last for about two complete cleaning sessions if you run it on the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging you, you can select a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10, the best rated robot vacuum model in this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops when they're running low.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and nearly perfect auto empty score. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25% less.