The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

They have a small trash bin that they empty themselves and some are controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that help them navigate more efficiently.

1. Power

Our top pick for robotic vacuums comes with a suction force of 8000Pa, which is strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LIDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning pet hair, baking powder, and other debris near corners and baseboards.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a powerful docking station that is able to perform maintenance and includes mopping capabilities as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping feature, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every type of floor we test.

A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for homes that are in the lower price range. These units are quieter and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only as loud as a normal conversation at home.

Think about your budget and cleaning requirements to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the best model. We recommend checking out our entire list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.

1. Navigation

A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job effectively if it doesn't know how to get around your home. The best robots employ sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.

LiDAR is used by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Bump sensors are utilized in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.

A number of the robots I tested utilized objects recognition to navigate through things such as cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate, a user friendly app, and superb mapping capabilities.

Take into consideration features such as floor type sensors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.

A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for ages. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, can self-empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

1. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and can connect to smart home devices for hands-free control. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that allows you to start or pause, and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a bigger dustbin that can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Some robots are equipped with mapping technology that allows them to remember obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid getting into furniture. Some allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you want to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose one that can be used for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with a robot vac that can remove its own mop pad, as well, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll like those found on cheaper models. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week as well. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it might be time to purchase replacement parts.

1. Collection of debris

As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and debris from your floors. The most effective ones can pick small particles such as baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as metal screws, orzo pasta, and pet hair. They also have better pickup results on low-pile carpets than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores greater than 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also feature 8,000Pa suction and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal option for those who need to change between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, look into the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. 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 picks.

1. Battery life

The best robot vacuums are designed to let you get moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and span. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again robot vacuums can help you maintain a standard of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose a model with excellent battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for around two cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is smaller than a large vacuum but it should be sufficient to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac is charging, you can also select an automatic model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you are looking for a robovac that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one machine that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category. It includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pickup excellent hair pickup, tangle-free, and a near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. However, it's not cheap and unless you live in a a small home without pets, it may be too expensive for some. The second-placed model is the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25 percent less.