The Best Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can do most of the cleaning for you. It will take pet hair, lint and surface dirt from carpets and furniture before they get stuck. Many robot vacuums work with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free clean experience.

Many models have maps, which allows them to create a map of your home. This helps them avoid tumbling off ledges or navigating clusters of device cords.

What to Look For

Certain robots have advanced features that allow you to control them via apps and voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. These include smart mapping as well as spot and zone cleaning, and the ability to avoid objects. These machines may also come with larger dust bins and longer-lasting batteries.

Select a model with broad brushes that can sweep up large debris, and is small enough to be able to fit under furniture. Also, make sure that the vacuum is able to move across different kinds of floors without having to change brushes or alter suction settings, which can make it less effective in cleaning and reduce its lifespan.

The best robot vacuums have top-quality filters that catch fine particles to protect the interior of your home and an ample, easy-to-access bin that lets you empty it often. Some have an extra side brush that can be used to sweep up pet hair and other debris in difficult-to-access areas under and behind furniture. The dustbins are usually transparent, which means you can see how much dirt is in the bin and when to empty it.

You can also make use of the app to set limits around furniture and rooms that you do not want it to enter. Certain models also recognize the kind of flooring and adjust their brush and vacuum settings to match.

There are also robots that will recharge and continue cleaning exactly where they left off in case their battery is low. There are some that have an inbuilt camera that lets you observe the path of your robot vacuum and Home Robot Vacuum view what it's collecting.

A lot of robots allow you to control them using your voice, though they may not do so as effortlessly as other models. Make sure the model you pick is compatible with the voice assistant you prefer and test it out to see how well the robot responds to various commands prior to purchasing. Some robots are able to automatically empty their bins of dust and clean their docking stations, making the chores you have to do a bit more. This feature is expensive, as are a larger storage container and a faster charging speed.

Cleaning Performance

While robots that vacuum and mop aren't able to replace a traditional vacuum or broom, they do offer a reliable and effective alternative to the routine of cleaning floors. Whether you need to keep track of tracked-in dust, crumbs and pet hair or get rid of larger debris like metal screws and wood shavings Most top-rated robotic cleaners are adept at removing a variety of materials on the first attempt and without causing damage to the flooring or furniture.

Most of the time, they'll detect the type of surface they're cleaning and adjust their suction or brush features accordingly to more thoroughly clean your floors. This is particularly important if you have a variety of flooring across your home. Many models also come with a wide range of options for setting up virtual boundaries, allowing you to tell the robot to stay away from certain areas of your home. This can help keep your pets or children from entering areas they shouldn't. It helps ensure that your house is cleaned at the end of each scheduled time.

Consider the amount of autonomy your robot can enjoy. Some models require your attention and presence while others function on their own and can change cleaning modes and schedules using a mobile application or voice commands using an integrated smart assistant. Certain models map and learn your home's layout and allow you to set up zones, and instruct the robot to clean specific areas of your home on a daily or weekly basis.

In our tests, the iRobot j7+ proved to be the most effective robot for "set it and forget it". It excelled in mapping, creating virtual boundaries and eliminating obstacles better than the other robots we tested. It can also empty itself so you do not have to do it manually. And, the side brushes can help clean debris from corners and edges that a vacuum might not reach.

Its slim profile and infrared sensors enable it to reach behind and under furniture for a deeper clean than most robots. Its advanced navigation system allows it to be more capable of cleaning the entire area of your home in a single charge as compared to other devices we've tried. It's difficult 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. Fastly removing dirt, crumbs and shedding pet hair can make all the difference in the cleanliness of your home on a daily basis. A basic robot is able to handle most cleaning tasks. However, those who prefer a less hands-on experience may want to look for a model that can be used as a mop.

The Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI is one the best models for both, as it offers great performance in both its mop and vacuuming modes and is able to easily deal with dirt debris, pet hair and even cat litter. Its ability to avoid objects is amazing. It lets it keep away from objects and not get caught on them.

It also has a long battery lifespan and a large bin for dust that allows it to cover a large amount of space in just one session. It's also smart vacuum, which means it can make maps of your home robot vacuum and work with applications, such as those offered by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, to let you control it with voice commands.

The application that comes with the robot allows you to create schedules, define rooms to be cleaned or the ability to pause and resume sessions. It can even alert you to the moment its battery is low and return to its docking station to recharge.

Another good thing about this robot is the ability to distinguish between hard floors and carpets and adjust its settings accordingly. This keeps the machine from becoming caught up in one type of surface or accidently tearing up furniture. However, it is not yet able to detect high pile carpeting or the seams between rooms, so you'll have to be cautious about picking up large objects.

All robot vacuums require some level of maintenance, for example removing hair from brushes and emptying (and sometimes rinsing) the bin of dust after each cleaning session. Also, cleaning sensors or cameras between uses to ensure they are in top shape. The manufacturer will provide specific instructions for these and other steps to maintain, which may vary depending on the model.

Cost

The best robot vacuums don't come expensive, but they're less expensive than a professional carpet cleaner or even a full-size stand-up vac. They also require less maintenance than a traditional vacuum, with most requiring only that you empty (and sometimes wash) their dust bin after each cleaning session and often wiping down their sensors or cameras.

Many robot vacuums come with intelligent features which make them more efficient within your home. For example, mapping technology lets you tell the vacuum where to go through an app, so it doesn't run into the stairs or under furniture, where there may be a mess. Other robot vacuums can detect the kind of floor they are cleaning so that they can adjust their suction and brush capabilities to ensure the most effective results.

Some models feature objects avoidance. This uses sensors (or a camera) which can detect toys and other objects lying on the floor. The robot is instructed to stay clear of them, instead of running into them. This is a great solution if your children or pets are prone to leaving toys all over the home.

Voice control is another smart feature you might find useful. It allows you to operate your robot with your voice, instead of the on-board buttons. This is a great option if your children aren't old enough to operate the robot or when it's convenient for you.

The frequency at which you should use your robot will depend on how much dirt and debris is normally found on your floors. The majority of experts recommend using your robot vacuum at least once per week to keep your floors spotless and to get rid of pet hair, lint, and dirt on the surface.

If you have limited floor surfaces and don't plan to utilize your robot for other purposes, a budget model like our top pick the Eufy 11S, is a great option. It's easy to use, affordable, and does the job without causing any noise when you work or watching television.