The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is a major cause of many lives however, robot vacuums make it more enjoyable. Modern models can mop, and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping features that assist in navigation.
1. cheap robot vacuum
With the suction power of 8,000Pa, our top pick for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It is also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near corners and baseboards.
Other high-powered robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on every floor we tested.
A model with 2500Pa suction should be sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're not quiet, but they're just about the same as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience, consider your cleaning needs and budget. Regular light-duty cleaning requires a longer runtime and a lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the right model. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more details about the latest models available. Many users have reported having their carpets and floors looking significantly cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum isn't able to perform its job properly when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation including LiDAR, camera, and sensor.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a virtual map of the room, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. Less expensive models rely on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and tend to miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other drops.
A variety of robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate around things such as fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate as well as a user-friendly application with excellent mapping capabilities.
Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that recognize carpets that are hard and soft, automatically boosting suction power when required. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to get into corners and eliminate dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solutions to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically utilize a small disposable dust bag, while the majority of mid-range models come with larger dust bins of 3L that last for decades. Certain high-end robots, such as the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their bins and fill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. They also can sync with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-based control. Some models have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it, and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs have mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, so that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose one that can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll have better results cleaning when your vacuum can also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then attach it again when you are ready to conduct a clean-up cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll, which is less prone to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than a bristle roll, as found on some smaller models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that may have become stuck on. Do this once or twice a week. If you notice that they're starting to clog, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The best robot vacuums can pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand and larger ones such as metal screws orzo, pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 95%. Our two best-performing robots in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated, with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own, and features in the app that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum cleaner, smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots that we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet, making it the ideal choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and may be susceptible to hitting obstacles however, it's cheaper than our other top-rated choices.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you move about your day while keeping your floors in pristine in good condition. While cheap robot vacuum 'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum every now and again, robovacs can help you keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.
To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last for around two cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum, but should be sufficient to keep most homes clean. If you don't like to be waiting around while your robovac charges you, you can choose a model that automatically makes its return to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking to buy a robovac with a variety of features in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the best model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops when they run out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle prevention, and its near-perfect auto empty score make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you have a an apartment with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25% less.