10 Myths Your Boss Is Spreading About Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small dustbin which they empty themselves and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that help them navigate your home with greater efficiency.

1. Power

With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top pick for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.

In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, the other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a powerful docking station that automatically performs maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction system, along with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we tested.

A model with 2,500Pa suction will suffice for homes that are in the lower price range. These models are quieter, which makes them a better option for those with sensitive hearing. They aren't silent, but they are only the same volume as conversations at home.

To find the ideal balance of usability and power take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and lower suction, whereas weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Examine your flooring, home layout, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many customers report that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best rated robot vacuum robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and build an outline map, which allows for thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to build a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Cheaper models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots in my tests utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate things like fake cords and dog turds however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application, and superb mapping capabilities.

Think about features like sensors for floors that automatically increase suction power when needed. Some robots, such as the Roborock mops, use a mopping pad lift to get into corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will cost less to replace. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station will self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Certain models come with a remote control that allows you to begin or pause and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that needs manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require the most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs, which is especially helpful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to use your robot vacuum for cleaning carpets, select a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time for another cleaning cycle. Look for a robot with the rubber roller. It will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot cleaner with mop's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice they are starting to clog up it could be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are made according to the name to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to collect tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, as well as larger ones such as metal screws orzo, as well as pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores higher than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were our two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket, and clean the washboard while mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can vacuum carpet and take away mop pads. This makes it an ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, look into the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget-friendly pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It's not the fastest to map out rooms and is susceptible to crashing into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other top-rated picks.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuums let you go about your day while keeping your floors in pristine condition. While you'll still have to give your home a manual automatic vacuum and mop every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.

To maximize the amount of time you get from your robovac, look for an advancé with a long battery life. If you choose to use the most powerful power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to clean most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac charges, you can also opt for one that will automatically make its way back to its base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the best robotic mop and vacuum model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a an apartment with no pets it might be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but is priced 25 percent less.