Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums are excellent at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.
Some models are operated by a smartphone application and others require physically operated remotes. Some models have advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation and editable floor maps.
Object Avoidance
The top robot vacuums are equipped with sophisticated navigation systems which allow them to stay clear of obstacles like walls, cords and furniture. They also have technology to avoid objects that detect toys, pet foods and other items that could block the path of the machine, or be taken up by the suction. These features will save you time cleaning by keeping your robot from being stuck under the sofa or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its cleaning tasks more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create the map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They can also detect any changes to your living space, such as when you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature every robot is equipped with, but it can significantly improve the efficiency and comfort of your new appliance.
Many of the cheaper models rely on sensors to guide them around your home. They are useful in a variety of situations however they can become stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamps or shoes. They are cheaper and don't have the ability to recognize when an obstacle is missed. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.
Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be stuck on larger objects such as large pet poop or chair legs. The robot vacuum will not be able lift large objects and may be forced to push them around or over the edges of the room. This could leave ugly skids on your floors. In the case of pets or cats, you might have to block its path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to set up within the app).
The advanced robotic vacuums listed below use objects detection to identify what is in front of them even in low-light conditions. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you suffer from allergies or do not have the time 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 of waste, meaning they must be cleaned far less often than the robot's onboard bin.
A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature such as the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base separately, unless it comes included with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases will not just save your time, but also money on dust bags. It will also keep your home clean. Depending on the brand, some bases have separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, but they may require cleaning frequently. It is recommended to use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to maintain optimal performance.
The suction power of a robot is another aspect to take into consideration. Although there is no standard 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 higher the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written guide will help you learn about the basics and help you solve problems, which is crucial because these machines aren't cheap. You should seek out an instruction manual that contains instructions on maintenance setting up, troubleshooting and configuration. You should be able when using a mobile application to control the robot, to view a list of the available options. You can then set them up by rooms, zones, or individual floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even command the robot by voice. Many well-known brands allow you to make customized cleaning plans and create virtual no-go zones. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you want. If you fail to finish the task the robot will pick up where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums don't have the same power as the full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can run for several hours with a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their destination, without needing to be there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90-100 minutes is ideal for most households and will allow you to clean the entire house in one step.
The typical dust bin on the robot vacuum has to be cleaned every few cleanings. This is a tedious task, especially when you have a large house or a lot of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. This is why self-emptying robot vacuums could help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dustbin and clean and dry its filter after every use, so that it is prepared for its next cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums also come with a removable or built-in water tank that allows them to clean your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when you have tiled floors or hardwood floors that need some extra attention between your regular vacuuming sessions. These mopping machines don't typically have the same suction power as a traditional vacuum and struggle to clean up liquid spills.
Consider a robot which can mop and vacuum at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both high-quality and offer an excellent value. They both have a decent level of suction and come with a large, self-emptying base station. They might not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots, therefore, they may not be able to take on your entire house on a single battery charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The cheapest model doesn't have a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, self cleaning vacuum has 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 an excellent option for keeping your floors looking clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great for saving time and effort but they require constant maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For example, choose an item that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning sessions. This feature is particularly useful when your pet sheds often or if it's an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
Many of our top picks include additional features that help reduce cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Look into a multisurface cleaner that includes a mopping mat that is simple to attach and remains in the right place or a vacuum cleaner that uses LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.
Some models let you set a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Certain models feature advanced software which can learn the layout of your home and get around obstacles. However, you will have to pay a premium for these premium features.
You can find robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else the more features you require, the higher the price but there are reliable options at every price level.
Whether you just need a basic bump-androll vac or a smart-mapping model that can clean your washboard while you're on vacation, we've got the best robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around furniture and toys without getting stuck. It's wifi-equipped and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleaning times or 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 and our buying guide for the best robotic vacuums. Be sure to review our recommended shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery is on time.