Best Robot Vacuums
The best robot vacuums excel at picking up pet hair, dust and other particles from carpet and hard floors. However, they leave a lot on furniture and baseboards.
Some models are operated via a smartphone application and others require a physical remote. Some models have advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or editable floor maps.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that keep away obstacles such as walls, furniture and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to recognize toys, pet food, 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 sofa or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its room cleanup 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 a map. This lets them navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has, but it could make a significant distinction in the performance and comfort of your new appliance.
Many of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in many scenarios however they can become stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamp cords or shoes. They are also less expensive and don't have the ability to learn when an obstacle is missed. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects out.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums will get caught up in larger objects, like large pet poop or chair legs. If the object is too big, the robotic cleaner may not be able to lift it and will likely be forced to push it across or around the edges of the room, leaving ugly skid marks on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you might have to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots permit you to create a virtual barrier in the app.
robot vacuum cleaner sale advanced robotic vacuums in this list make use of object detection, which works in optimal and low-light conditions to determine what's right in the area in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for example, have TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different types of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Basses
A self-emptying base can be an excellent feature, regardless of whether you have allergies or simply 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 worth of waste, meaning they should be emptied much less frequently than the bin on the robot's own.
This feature is available on a variety of high-rated robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. But, you'll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own, except if it's included with your robot vacuum.
In addition to decreasing the amount of time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one can also help you save money on dust bags that need to be replaced and keep your home cleaner. Depending on the brand certain bases come with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they may require cleaning regularly. It is recommended to use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to ensure optimal performance.
The suction power of a robot is a different factor to be considered. Although there isn't a universal power scale that all companies use however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the device's performance. In general, the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
A good machine should have user-friendly features and a user's manual that is simple to read. A well-written manual will help you learn the basics and resolve common issues, which is important because these machines aren't expensive. You should seek out the manual that provides instructions on maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able, when using a mobile application to control the robot, to look up the available settings. You can then set them up in rooms, zones or floors. Some apps let you set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot with a voice. Many popular brands let you make customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go zones. The most effective robots allow you to save a cleaning schedule and then return to it at any point. Then, if you forget to complete the task the robot will start where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the same power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums but their motors are energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums run for hours on one charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their home base, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to thoroughly clean your whole apartment on one go.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be emptied after every few cleans. This is a tedious task, particularly if you have a large house or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. This is why self-emptying robot vacuums can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after every use so it is ready for the next vacuuming sessions.
Most robot vacuums have an ejector or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwood floors that require some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction power as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to get rid of liquid spills.
If you're looking for a robot that can also mop and vacuum, think about an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer excellent value. Both have a high level of suction and have a large, self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, however, therefore they won't be able to take on your entire home on a single charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. This inexpensive model does not include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it has a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floor. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still an excellent option for keeping your floors looking fresh in between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great for reducing time and effort, but they require constant maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. For instance, select an item with a self-emptying bin to reduce the number of instances you need to empty the trash can manually during cleaning runs. This feature is particularly beneficial in the event that your pet sheds often or if it's an habit to not remember to sweep up and mop.
In cleaning robots to standard features like suction and rotating brushes and suction, many of our top picks have extras that help reduce cleaning time even more. Consider a multi-surface cleaner with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and remains on well or a vacuum that has LiDAR navigation that can detect dirt spots around your home, which is why it slows down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Some models have advanced software that can understand the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles but you'll need to pay for these advanced features.
You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on floors made of wood to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+, which can vacuum and mop both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things when you're looking for more features, it will cost more however, there are options for every budget.
Whether you just need a basic bump-and-roll vac or an intelligent-mapping model that will clean your washing machine while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech, allowing it to maneuver between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's equipped with wifi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
Read our guide on robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. And don't miss our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery is on time.