Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums excel in removing dust, pet hair and other debris from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.

Many models can be controlled with a smartphone app, but others require a physical remote control vacuum cleaner for operation. Some models come with advanced features like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and editable floor maps.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that avoid obstacles like furniture, walls, and cords. They also have technology to avoid objects that can detect pets, toys and other items that could block the path of the machine or be taken up by the suction. These features can save you time cleaning by preventing your robot vacuum price from getting stuck in the couch 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 or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create an outline map. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also spot changes in your living space, such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has, but it could make a significant difference to the performance and comfort of your new appliance.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. These can work well in a variety of situations, but they can easily become entangled with objects that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. These robots are also less expensive and do not have the capability of learning when they miss an obstacle. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums will get caught up in larger objects such as large dog poop spills or chair legs. If the object is too large, the robotic cleaner may not be able to lift it and may be forced to push it to the edge of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you may have to block their path with a piece of furniture or a box. Some robots even allow you to create a virtual barrier using the application.

The most advanced robotic vacuums featured below use objects detection to identify what is in their path even in low-light conditions. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

If you suffer from allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after every cleaning session, a self-emptying base is an option to look for. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days of debris. They need to be emptying less frequently than the dustbin on the robot.

This feature is available on several top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need to purchase the self emptying base on your own unless it's included with the robot.

Self-emptying bases will not just save you time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also keep your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that can be used to capture allergens, however they will need to be cleaned out periodically. To maintain optimal performance it is recommended to make use of the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

The suction power of a robot is a different factor to consider. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies use however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the device's performance. In general, the greater the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.

A reputable robot must come with features that are easy to use and an instruction manual that is simple to follow. A well-written guide will help you learn about the basics and help you solve problems that arise, which is essential since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should look for the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able if you are using an app on your mobile, to control the robot to view a list of the available settings. You can then set them up by zones, rooms, or individual floor surfaces. Some apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even voice-command the machine. A number of popular brands let you design your own cleaning schedule and create virtual no-go zones. The best floor vacuum robot robots will allow you to save a cleaning plan and return to it at any point. If you fail to complete the task, the cheap robot vacuum cleaner will resume where it began.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums might not have the power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums however, their motors are efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums last for hours on a single charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their home base, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90 to 100 minutes is sufficient for the majority of households and allows you to clean the entire home in one step.

The typical dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be emptied every few cleans. This can be a challenging task, particularly if you have a large home or pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum could save you a amount of stress. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own dust bin, and even clean and dry its filter after every use so it is prepared for its next session of vacuuming.

Most robot vacuums have an adjustable or built-in water tank, which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is especially useful for tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention in between your regular vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to clean up liquid spills.

If you want a robot that can mop and vacuum, you should consider an all-in-one combo robot like the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both of high-quality and provide great value. Both have a high level of suction, and they come with a large, self-emptying station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, however, therefore they won't be able to tackle your entire home on a single charge.

Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't expensive and doesn't come with a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it has high suction (2,500 Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floor. The 11S can't vacuum stairs or furniture, but it's still a great choice for keeping your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming by hand.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums are able to save you time and effort, they do require some daily maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. For example, choose an item with a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to empty the bin manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly beneficial when your pet sheds often or have a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.

In addition to the basic features such as suction and a rotating brush, most of our top picks also have extras that help reduce cleanup time even further. Think about a multisurface cleaner which has a removable mopping mat that is easy to put on and stays in place or a vacuum cleaner that utilizes LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt spots around your home, allowing it to clean them thoroughly.

Certain models allow you to set a schedule, designate rooms to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum using your voice. Some models have advanced software that can understand your home's layout and navigate around obstacles. However, you will be required to pay for these features.

You can find robot vacuums that fit any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on floors made of wood to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else, the more features you require, the higher the price however, there are dependable options for every price point.

Whether you just need a basic bump-and-roll vac or a smart-mapping model that can clean your washboard while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with a top-quality object-avoidance technology which allows it to move around furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's got wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum bot.

For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, check out our comprehensive guide to robotic mops as well as our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Make sure to look over our suggested shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery is on time.