Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums do a fantastic job of removing pet hair and other debris on hard floors and carpet. However self cleaning vacuum leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.
Some models can be operated by a smartphone application, while others require physically operated remotes. Some models include advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or editable floor plans.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like walls, furniture and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to recognize pets, toys and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will save you time cleaning by preventing your robot from slipping in the sofa or behind the bed, which allows it to complete its room cleaning tasks more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create a map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space, like if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has but it can make a huge difference in the performance and ease of use of your new appliance.
A majority of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. They can be useful in many situations but they can also get stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamp cords or shoes. The cheaper robots lack the capability to learn from an obstacle that was missed which is why you may need to create electronic keep-out zones around your house for certain objects.
Even the best robot vacuums could be stuck on larger objects like chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. If the object is too big, the robotic cleaner may not be capable of lifting it and may be forced to push it over or around the edges of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you might need to block their path by using a furniture or box. Some robots allow you to create a virtual barrier using the application.
The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list use object detection that works under low and optimal lighting conditions to detect what's in the area in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify up to 30 types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Whether you have allergies or simply don't have the time to manually empty a robot vacuum's trash bin after every cleaning session, self-emptying bins are a convenient feature to look for. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they must be cleaned much less frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature, including iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it comes included with the robot vacuum.
A self-emptying base will not just save your time, but also save you money on dust bags. It will also help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters for capturing allergens. These may need to cleaned frequently, based on the brand. It is recommended to use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to maintain optimal performance.
The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies use, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's guide that's easy to understand. A well-written user manual can aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is crucial since these machines aren't expensive. You should look for an instruction manual that contains instructions on maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able, in the event that you use a mobile application to control the robot to view a list of the available options. You can then set them up by rooms, zones, or individual floors. Some apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even allow you to voice-command the robot. A few popular brands also allow you to set virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning schedules. The top robots allow you to save your cleaning schedule and return to it at any time you wish. If you don't finish the task, the robot will continue where it left off.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums do not have the same power as the full-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for hours with a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their base, without you needing to be there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100-minute battery life is ideal for most homes, and will provide enough time to clean your entire home in one move.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be emptied after every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, particularly if you have a large home or lots of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums will help you avoid a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own trash bin and even blow and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next cleaning session.
Most robot vacuums also have a built-in or removable water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is especially useful if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction as a traditional vacuum and struggle to clean up liquid spills.
Consider a robot which can mop and vacuum at the same time, such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both of high-quality and provide great value. Both come with a high degree of suction, and they come with a large self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, and so they may not be able to take on your entire house on one charge.
Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The inexpensive model doesn't come with a built-in or removable water reservoir however, it does come with an impressive suction level (2,500 Pascals or Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S can't vacuum stairs or furniture but it's a great choice for keeping your floors clean between mopping and vacuuming sessions.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great to save time and energy, but they require daily maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. Pick a model that comes with a self-emptying bottom to reduce the amount of times you have to empty the bin manually during cleaning sessions. This feature is especially helpful for pet owners who shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to mop and sweep.
In addition to the standard features like a rotating brush and suction, most of our top picks also have extras that help reduce cleanup time even further. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with mopping pads that can be removed, which are easy to attach and holds well or a vacuum that has LiDAR navigation that can recognize dirt spots around your home, so it can be slowed down to clean them thoroughly.
Certain models let you set a cleaning schedule, designate the 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 learn the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles but you'll need to pay more for these advanced features.
You can find robot vacuums that fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+, which can mop and vacuum both carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else, the more features you require, the higher the price but there are reliable choices at any price range.
Whether you just need a basic bump-androll 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 an excellent technology for avoiding objects which allows it to move around toys and furniture and not get stuck. It's got wifi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
Check out our guide to robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for additional tips. Be sure to keep track of our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery arrives in time.