The Best Robot Vacuums
A good robot vacuum does the bulk of the work and removes pet hair, lint, and surface dirt before it can stick to furniture or sink into carpets. Some also integrate with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to provide the convenience of hands-free operation.
A lot of models come with the ability to map, allowing them to create an interactive map of your house. This allows them to avoid falling off ledges and navigating around clusters of devices if cords are.
What to look for
Some robots have advanced features, which allow you to control them via voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. Smart mapping, zone cleaning, and object avoidance are some of the features. They might also have longer battery life and larger dust collection bins.
Select a model that has an extensive brush that can clean up large debris and is thin enough to fit underneath furniture. Also, check if the vacuum can be used on multiple floor types without having to change brushes or alter suction settings, which could make it less effective in cleaning and reduce its lifespan.
The top robot vacuums have high-quality filters to capture fine particles and protect your home from damage. They also come with an enormous easy-to-access bin for collecting so that you can empty it frequently. Some have an extra side brush for sweeping up pet hair and debris in hard-to-reach places under and behind furniture. They also typically have a door for the dustbin that is clear, which helps you keep an eye on the amount of dirt accumulation to can tell when it's time to empty.
You can also use the app to set the boundaries of furniture and rooms you don't want it to enter. Some models also register what type of floor they're cleaning, and automatically adjust their suction and brush settings accordingly.
There are also robots that recharge and resume cleaning right where they left off in case their batteries are running low. Some robot vacuums have cameras built-in that lets you see the path taken by your robot and what it has collected.
Some robots also allow you to control them using your voice, but they may not do so as well as others. Check that the model you select is compatible with the voice assistant you prefer and then test it to see how the robot responds to commands prior to purchasing. Some robots can even self-empty their bins of dust and clean their docking stations, reducing your chore list a little more. This is a costly feature and comes with a bigger storage container and a faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
While robots aren't able to substitute for a full-on vacuum cleaner or broom, they provide an effective and efficient alternative to the routine of cleaning floors. The best robotic cleaners can clean up small particles such as dust, pet hair, and crumbs, or larger items such as metal shavings or wood shavings. They can do this without causing damage to furniture or floors.
In most cases, they'll be able to detect what type of surface they're cleaning and adjust their suction or brush features in accordance with the type of surface so that they can more effectively clean your floors. This is particularly important if you have a variety of flooring in your home. Many models come with the option of setting virtual boundaries. This allows you to instruct your robot to stay out of certain areas of your home. This will prevent your children or pets from getting into areas they shouldn't. It will also ensure that your house is cleaned at the end of each scheduled time.
Think about how much autonomy your robot can enjoy. Certain models require your attention and presence while others function independently with the capability to change cleaning modes and schedules via a mobile app or voice commands using an integrated smart assistant. Some will map and learn your home, allowing you to define zones and instruct the robot to only clean certain areas of your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests, the iRobot j7+ was the top "set it and forget it" robot. It was the best in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and avoiding obstacles better than all the other robots we test. It can also empty itself completely so you don't have to do it manually. It also has side brushes that help sweep debris away from corners and edges where it is difficult to reach.
Its slim design and infrared sensor allow it to clean behind and under furniture which allows it to perform better than the majority of robots. And its advanced navigation system allows it to clean the entire floor of your home using just a single charge of battery. It's hard to beat even at its price.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel like less of a chore and more like an indulgence. The difference between a clean house and one that is filthy can be achieved by getting rid of dirt that has been tracked into the house, and crumbs, pet hair, and other debris. While a basic robot is able to handle the majority of cleaning tasks, those who want an extra hands-off experience should look for one that doubles as mop.
Ecovacs Deebot T10 ONI provides excellent performance both in vacuuming and mopping modes. It can take care of pet hair, dirt, and even cat litter. Its object avoidance function is remarkable. It allows it to keep away from objects best robot mop and not get tangled on them.
It also has a long battery life and a large dust bin, making it able to cover a decent amount of space in a single session. It is also a smart vacuum, which means it can make maps of your home and use apps, like the ones offered by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, to let you use voice commands to control it.
The app that comes along with the robot allows you to create schedules, assign specific rooms for cleaning or suspend or resume sessions. It will notify you when its battery is depleted and then return to the docking station for recharging.
Another great feature of this robot is the ability to distinguish between carpets and hard floors and adjust its settings accordingly. This keeps the machine from being bogged down in one type of surface or damaging furniture. It is not able to detect high-pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so it's important to be careful when picking up large objects.
All robot vacuums require a certain degree of maintenance, like removing hair from brushes and emptying (and occasionally rinsing) the dust bin after each cleaning session. Also, wiping down cameras or sensors between uses to keep them in top shape. The manufacturer will give specific recommendations for these and other maintenance procedures which can differ based on the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums might not be inexpensive, but they're considerably less expensive than a professional carpet cleaner or even a stand-up one. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, since they require that you empty and occasionally rinse their dust bins following every cleaning session.
A lot of robot vacuums have clever features which make them more efficient within your home. For instance, mapping technology lets you inform the vacuum of where to go through an app, which means it doesn't run into the stairs, or under furniture, where there might be a mess. Other robot vacuums can detect the kind of flooring they are cleaning so they can alter their suction and brush capabilities to get the best results.
Some models feature object avoidance. The system uses sensors (or cameras) which can detect toys and other objects lying on the floor. The robot is then instructed to stay clear of them, instead of running into them. This could be extremely helpful when you have children or pets who tend to throw toys around the home.
Another smart feature that could be of interest to you is voice control which allows you to operate your robot with your voice instead of using the on-board buttons. This can be beneficial when you have children who aren't yet old enough to be able to use the controls, or if you are looking for a hands-free option.
How often you need to use your robot depends on the amount of dirt and dust is normally found on your floors. Most experts recommend using a robot vacuum at least once a week to keep your floors looking great and nabbing pet hair, dust and dirt from the surface before it is able to get ground in or become more difficult to get rid of.
If you only have the space for a space on your floor and do not plan to use the robot for any other purpose, then an affordable model like our top choice Eufy 11S is a great choice. It's affordable, easy to install and operate, and does the job with little noise interference while you work or watch TV.