Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums do an excellent job of picking up pet hair and other particles on hard floors as well as in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on furniture and baseboards.
Some models can be operated by a smartphone application, while others require a physical remote. Some models have advanced features, like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and editable floor maps.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that stay clear of obstacles like walls, furniture, and cords. They also feature object-avoidance technology to identify pets, toys, and other clutter that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will help you save time by preventing your robot from getting stuck in the sofa or behind a bed.
Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize cameras and lasers to create a map. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes to your living space, such as the moment you move a piece of furniture. This isn't something that every robot has but it can make a huge difference in the performance and ease of use of your new appliance.
Many of the cheaper models rely on sensors to help them navigate around your home. They can be useful in many situations, but they can easily become entangled with objects that are too close, such as lamp cords and shoes. These robots are cheaper and do not have the ability to recognize when an obstacle is missed. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.
Even the best robot vacuums will get caught up in larger objects such as large dog poop spills or chair legs. If the object is too large the robot may not be capable of lifting it and may be forced to push it across or around the edges of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If it's dogs or cats it is possible to block their path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the app).
The more advanced robotic vacuums listed here use object detection that works under low and optimal lighting conditions to detect what's in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for example, have TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases can be beneficial, especially if you suffer from allergies or aren't able to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of each cleaning session. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days of trash, which means they should be emptied much less frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have to purchase the self emptying base separately unless it's included in your robot.
Apart from decreasing the amount of time you're spending cleaning bases that self-empty can also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home cleaner. Depending on the brand certain bases come with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they may need to be cleaned out periodically. To ensure that your base is operating at its best, you should always use the filters and other accessories suggested by the manufacturer.
The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. There isn't a standard power scale utilized by all companies, however some provide Pascal (Pa) which gives you an idea of how the device performs. In general the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
A good robot should also include features that are simple to use and an instruction manual that is easy to understand. A well-written manual can assist you in learning the basics and resolve common issues, which is crucial because these machines aren't cheap. Look for a detailed manual that covers setup as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. If you're using a mobile app to control the robot, you'll be able to see a list of all available settings and configure them by zones, rooms or individual floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot with a voice. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning plans. The best robots will allow you to save a cleaning plan and return to it at any time. Then, if you forget to finish the task, the robot will resume where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums don't have the same power as fully-sized corded upright and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums are able to run for several hours with a single battery charge. robot vacuum sale charge themselves and begin cleaning once they have reached their home base, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, we found that a 90-100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to thoroughly clean your entire home in one go.
The typical dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be emptied every few cleanings. This is a time-consuming task, particularly if you have a big home or lots of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the machine empty its own bin and blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for the next vacuuming session.
The majority of robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the level of suction that traditional vacuums have and tend to struggle with spills of liquid.
If you're looking for a robot that can mop and vacuum, you should consider a one-stop combo robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices have excellent performance and offer an excellent value. They both have a good amount of suction and come with a big, self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, and therefore they won't be able to tackle your entire house on one charge.
Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The cheapest model doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. It does however have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floors. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum stairs or furniture, but it's still a great choice for keeping your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming sessions.
Easy Maintenance
While robot vacuums can help you save time and effort, they do require regular maintenance. automatic vacuum require less work than others. Select a model with an automatic bottom that can be empty to cut down on the amount of times you have to empty the bin manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed a lot or if it's the norm to not clean up and mop.
In addition to the basic features such as suction and rotating brushes and suction, many of our top picks also come with additional features that will cut down the time needed to clean. Think about a multisurface cleaner which has a removable mopping mat that's easy to attach and stays in the right place, or a vacuum that makes use of LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots around your home to remove them completely.
Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to pay more for these premium features.
You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on wood floors only to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can vacuum and mop both carpeting and hardwoods. Like most things that you purchase, if you require more features, it will cost more, but there are options for every budget.
If you're looking for a basic bump-and-roll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washboard while you're on vacation, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's wireless-enabled and can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings or remotely control the vacuum.
For more tips on choosing the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the best robotic vacs. Make sure to look over our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your delivery for the holidays is on time.