The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a bit less painful. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled via a smartphone app rather than the physical remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to eliminate even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square design allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides precise navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning pet hair, baking soda, and other debris that can be found near the baseboards as well as in corners.

Aside from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the iRobot Roomba J7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes with a robust docking station that is able to perform maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction, combined with its efficient mopping, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.

In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is more than adequate for most homes. They are also quieter and are therefore a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not quiet, but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to find the right combination of power and convenience. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires the maximum power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before selecting the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and floors appear cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

1. Navigation

A robot vacuum won't be able to do its job properly without knowing how to get around your home. This is why the best robots use sophisticated navigation technology that reliably scans rooms and then creates a map to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in cheaper models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Many of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to efficiently navigate around things such as fake dog turds and cords, however, the best was the Eufy X10. It had powerful oscillating mop heads and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.

Other features worth looking into include floor type sensors that can detect carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solutions to tough staining.

A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while a larger one will save money on replacements. The majority of robotic cleaners that are low-cost use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins which last a long time. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and refill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

1. App control

Most robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has larger dustbins that self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.

Certain robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them avoid obstacles such as stairs and furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is particularly helpful in multi-leveled homes.

If you plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean carpets, select a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better cleaning results by having your robot vacuum also take off its mop pad. Rinse it and then reconnect it when you want to run a new cleaning cycle. Look for robots with a rubber roller. It is less likely to become tangled from pet hair or other particles. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that might have been stuck to them. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice that they're beginning to get clogged up it might be time to replace parts.

1. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to gather dust and debris on your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand in addition to larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better results on low pile carpets than many manual vacuums.

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

Both have self-emptying bins that eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboards as they mow. They also have suction of 8,000Pa, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for users who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, check out the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It's a bit slow to map out rooms and is susceptible to bumping into obstacles, but it's less expensive than our other best-buy picks.

1. Battery life

The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get on with your life while they keep your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean even when you're away.

To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to expect a model to last about two complete cleaning sessions if you use it at the highest power setting. This is less than a size vacuum cleaner, however it will be sufficient to be sufficient for most homes. If you don't like to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges, you can also select one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking for a robot that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one model that is able to mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class, offers self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin, the water tank, and the mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're running low.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a an apartment with no pets it might be too expensive for some. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25% less.