How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll need to do some work to keep your robot's house in good order. That means clearing out the clutter, removing loose cords and knotted rugs.

Select a model with an auto-emptying container. This will make it easier to clean up spills and mess. You may also want an all-in-one that vacuums and mop.

Features

Depending on your home needs, you can choose the best robot cleaner with intelligent features. Some models are designed to map your home and create floor plans, whereas others have a built-in camera that provides live footage of your space. These cameras can be used to detect obstructions and assist in problem solving. Some robots feature an option to schedule cleaning sessions or adjust the frequency.

If you're looking for a robot that can both mop and vacuum, search for one with an automatic emptying dustbin. Ecovacs Deebot Pro is one our top picks because it has both features at reasonable prices. It has a suction opening that is similar to upright vacuums. This allows it to pick up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also uses side brushes with three bristles to push hair and dirt into the robot's path. This model is the top of its kind due to a variety of reasons including its mopping capabilities as well as its efficient navigation and affordable price.

The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins, that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dust bins and smart vacuum features that allow for a hands-free cleaning experience, is a fantastic example. It comes with a small mopping mat that can remove dirt that has been stuck to the floor. It can also glide over mats and rug that are too lightweight for other robots. Its sensors can help it locate areas that are more prone to dirt, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.

Eufy Clean X10, with its simple-to-use application is a great alternative. Its options for customization are simple and quick to install. Its lidar-powered mapping is quick and accurate and allows you to easily divide rooms to ensure a thorough cleaning. It's got great technology to avoid objects, which sucks up Cheerios and evades fake dog poop. However, it struggled a bit with stairs. Its square-front design helped it to get into corners more easily than other robots that we've tested. It's also capable of bending its edges, helping it sweep along baseboards effortlessly.

Cleaning performance

Robots are not as effective as vacuums in cleaning carpets from deep within and cleaning up dirt that's been buried. However, they can pick up fine particles such as baking soda and dust and heavier debris like metal screws and pet fur. They can also clean up spills and crumbs. Maintaining your robot with regular maintenance, such as emptying the dustbin cleaning or changing the filter, and cleaning the cameras and sensors will ensure that it lasts for the longest time possible.

The most effective robots are adept in removing fine particles from hard carpets and floors with low pile. They also excel in removing orzo, sand and wood shavings. They can pick up screws made of metal and cat litter, however they struggle with slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive when climbing stairs, and they don't always grab everything that's thrown around the edges of furniture.

Some models are also great at mopping. The iRoborock Roomba 900 is one of them and does a great job taking off coffee spills and other liquids as well as sticky or dried-on food debris from hardwood. Its zone and spot cleaning modes let you create a specific area for the robot to focus on, so it won't spend time cleaning areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that is capable of mopping, and it has a distinct advantage over the Roborock one: the option to first vacuum before you mop is a great way of cleaning up spills on high-pile carpets.

The Dyson V8 Absolute is another top mopping robot. It's more expensive than Roomba but it has superior suction. It can also handle a greater variety of flooring types and textures. It's also smart enough to return to the charging dock if it's getting dry and pick up where it left off. Its app has many other options, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet, which makes it a perfect option for homes with pets or children.

Cost

The best robot cleaners perform well at a reasonable price, and many offer intelligent features that will help you save money in the long run. Take into consideration the amount you'll need for the vacuum cleaner and mop to ensure you get the best robot vacuum cleaner bang for your buck. Certain models come with additional features you might not require but could be useful, such as the self-emptying bin or effective navigation.

The most cost-effective option is to purchase an item that can perform both mops and vacuums. It's important to note that robot vacuums are only as effective as the dirt it collects therefore it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming in favor of using a robot cleaner.

Spending $500 on a robot capable of both vacuuming and mopping is a reasonable price. A good robot vacuum example is the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored highly in the CR's tests and can clean floors, carpets, and even bare floors. It has an intuitive app which allows you to view its cleaning route and also set no-go zones. Jaclyn Turner found that the mopping functionality could be improved since it uses a dragging mechanism with light pressure rather than true scrub.

However, if you're in a pinch it's possible to find a bargain on a top-rated robotic vacuum that can do just one task, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet and it excelled on hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpets. It also didn't miss a beat when it came to picking up pet hair and litter.

A few robots with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation systems that do not create a coverage map and are more likely to be stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots are still able to clean your floors but they're not as efficient or are able to navigate around obstacles in your home.

Another option is the less expensive Shark IQ XL, which earned high marks for both its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as smart as the Combo j9+, but it's user-friendly and does an excellent job on both floors that are unfinished and carpets. It's also fairly light and can be pushed under furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot cleaner can be an excellent way to keep your house clean, especially if it has pets or children. It requires some maintenance in order to keep it in top condition. Keeping up with regular cleaning tasks, like emptying the dust bin and washing or replacing the filter, and wiping down cameras and sensors can prolong the lifespan of your robot.

Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines however, you can extend the life of your vacuum if you follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying and cleaning its dustbin, brush roller and filter. Also, you should clean the robot's sensor and charging contacts with a damp cloth to keep them from becoming clogged with dirt.

This model from Eufy is an excellent pick if you want a smart, durable robot that's easy to use. Its slim, sleek design allows it to be placed under couches that are low and ottomans, allowing it to access dirt that's hidden. The app lets you organize a cleaning time and select rooms. You can also create zones that are not allowed to be used, and also adjust the level of cleaning.

Although it's a little more expensive than the other models on this list, this model offers a number of features to will make up for the cost. Its mapping is quick, and it can save four maps of your house in 2D or 3-D. It's also one of the quieter robotic devices we test. The battery life is around three hours.

The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum cleaner that performs well against walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is more than any other bot we tested. It has a number of clever features, including a spot cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It employs random navigation to ensure that it doesn't have to clean the same spots over and over.

The only issue with this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to detect bare floors and can be confused by thick carpets or rug. It's ideal for apartments with small spaces or single-family homes with narrow hallways as well as furniture that is a lot of narrow hallways.