Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are excellent at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from carpet and hard floors. However they leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.
Some models are operated using a smartphone app however others require physical remotes. Some models include advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation and floor plans that can be modified.
Object Avoidance
The top robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles such as walls, cords, and furniture. They also feature object-avoidance technology to identify pets, toys, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features can save you time cleaning by preventing your robot from slipping under the couch or behind the bed, making it able to complete its assigned 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 allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They can also spot changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't something that every robot has, but it can make a huge distinction in the performance and convenience your new appliance.
A majority of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them around your home. They are able to work in many situations, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close such as lamp cords and shoes. The cheaper robots lack the ability to learn from an obstacle that was missed which is why you may need to create digital keep-out zones in your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums can get caught up in larger objects such as large dog poop splatters or even chair legs. If the object is too big the robot may not be capable of lifting it and will likely be forced to push it to the edges of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you may need to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots will allow you to create a virtual barrier using the app.
The most advanced robotic vacuums featured here 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 instance are equipped with TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Bases
A self-emptying base can be a useful feature, whether you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of every cleaning session. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days' worth of dust. They must be emptied less frequently than the dustbin on the robot.
A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature such as iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robot the Roborock S8, and several others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own, unless it comes with the robot vacuum.
Aside from reducing the amount of time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one can also save money on new dust bags and keep your home cleaner. Some bases come with separate filters that can be used to remove allergens. These may need to cleaned regularly, based on the manufacturer. To ensure optimal performance you should use the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. There is no standard power scale that is used by all companies, but some offer Pascal (Pa), which gives you an idea of the performance of the device. In general the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
A good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user manual that's easy to understand. A well-written manual can aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is crucial since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should look for a thorough manual that covers setup as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. You should be able in the event that you use an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to see a list of available settings. You can then set them up by rooms, zones or even individual flooring surfaces. Some apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even allow you to voice-command the robot. A few of the top brands let you set virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning plans. The best robots allow you to save your cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you like. If you do not remember to complete the task, the robot will resume where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums may not have the power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums however, their motors are efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums run for hours on one charge. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning once they have reached their destination, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, a battery's lifespan of 90-100 minutes is ideal for most households and allows you to clean your entire house in one go.
The average dust bin on a robot vacuum will need to be cleaned every few cleanings. robot vacuum cleaner best buy can be a difficult task, especially if you have a large home or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums can save you a lot of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own dustbin and clean and dry its filter after each use, so that it is ready for its next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank, which allows them to mop 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 typically don't have the same level of suction that a traditional vacuum has and often struggle with spills of liquid.
You should think about a machine that 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 top-quality and provide an excellent value. Both robots have a high level of suction, and both come with a huge self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our two top-rated robots, and so they might not be able to complete your entire home in one charge.
Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The cheapest model doesn't come with a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it has high suction (2,500 Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floor. The 11S is not a vacuum for stairs or furniture however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great for saving time and effort but they require constant maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For instance, you can choose a model that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning runs. This feature is especially helpful when you have pets that shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to mop and sweep.
In addition to basic features such as a rotating brush and suction, most of our top picks include extra features that can cut down cleanup time even further. Think about a multisurface cleaner which comes with a mopping mat that's easy to attach and remains in place as well as a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots around your home to remove them completely.
Some models let you set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with your voice. Some have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to pay more for these premium features.
You can find robot vacuums that fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on floors made of wood to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+, which can vacuum and mop both carpeting and hardwoods. Like most things the more features you require, the higher the price, but there are reliable options for every price level.
We have the best robotic vacuums for your needs, whether it's a a basic bump and roll vac, or one with intelligent mapping that will clean your washing machine while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's also equipped with WiFi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.
For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic mops as well as our buying guide to the best robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check our recommended shipping cutoff dates to ensure that your Christmas delivery will arrive on time.