The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small dustbin that they empty themselves, and some are controlled from a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums has suction power of 8,000Pa, which is enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture such as sofas and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It's also great for cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.

Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other high-powered bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction and effective mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower cost range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. They are also quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent however they are not as loud as normal conversations at home.

To get the most effective mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Frequent light-duty tidying requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly high-volume cleaning requires a lot of power. Take a look at your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to select the best model to meet your needs. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job well without knowing how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types 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 used in cheaper models, but they can be inaccurate and miss a lot of debris when working in dark environments. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads, a user friendly app, and su rugs pick a model that can do both dry mopping and wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on cheaper models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice per week. If you notice they are starting to clog up it could be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are created according to the name to collect dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums will take small particles such as baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, as well as pet hair. They also deliver better results on carpets with a low pile than many 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 which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard as they mowing. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best choice for those who have to change between mopping and vacuuming frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, we suggest the iRobot Roomba Kombo J7+, our budget pick. It offers LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It's not the fastest to map rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, however it's much less expensive than our other best-buy selections.

5. Battery life

The best robotic mop and vacuum robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while they keep your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still have to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.

To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose an advancé with a long battery life. If you use the highest power setting, the model should last for about two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical large vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges you, you can choose a model that automatically makes its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot with a variety of features in it, you should consider one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10, the best robotic mop and vacuum model in this category comes with self-emptying and self refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're low.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and an almost perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you have a an apartment with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The second choice is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25% less.