The Best Robot Vacuums
A good robot vacuum will do the majority of the work for you and removes pet hair, lint and dirt before it can cling to furniture or be sucked into carpets. They also have smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to offer the convenience of hands-free operation.
Many models include maps, which allows them to create a map of your home. This helps them to avoid falling off ledges or moving around clusters if device cords.
What to Look For
Some robots come with advanced features that let you control them using apps and voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. These include smart mapping, spot and zone cleaning and the ability to avoid objects. These machines might also come with larger dust bins and longer-lasting batteries.
Look for a model with broad brushes that can clean up large pieces of debris and one that's slim enough to fit under furniture. Check if the robot vacuum is able to clean various types of floors without changing the suction settings or brushes. This can reduce its cleaning efficiency and shorten its life span.
The most effective robot vacuums feature top-quality filters that catch tiny particles to safeguard the interior of your home and an ample, easy-to-access collection bin that allows you to empty it often. Some have an extra side brush to clean up pet hair and other debris in difficult-to-access places such as behind and under furniture. The dustbins are usually transparent, allowing you to see the amount of dirt in the bin and when to empty it.
You can also use the app to set boundaries around furniture and rooms you don't want it to enter. Certain models can also detect the type of floor they're cleaning, and automatically adjust their suction and brush settings to suit the floor.
There are robots that recharge and continue cleaning where they left off when their battery runs out. Some also have a built-in camera that lets you observe the path of your robot vacuum and even see what it's collecting.
Certain robots can be operated by voice commands but not all. Make sure the model you choose is compatible with the voice assistant of your preference, and then test how it responds to different commands during the purchasing process. Some robots are able to automatically empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations, making your chore list a little more. This feature is expensive as is a larger collection container and more rapid charging speeds.
Cleaning Performance
Robots aren't the same as for a broom or vacuum. However, they can be incredibly efficient and effective in keeping your floors tidy. It doesn't matter if you have to keep track of dust, crumbs and pet hair or pick up larger debris such as wood shavings and metal screws, most top-rated robotic cleaners are capable of picking up different types of debris on the first go-around and doing so without damaging your furniture or floors.
They will often register the type of floor they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush functions according to the type of floor you have. This allows them to clean it more thoroughly. This is especially important when your home is surrounded by different kinds of flooring. A lot of models have the option to set virtual boundaries. This lets you tell your robot to stay out of certain areas of your home. This helps to keep your pets and children from getting into areas they shouldn't. It also ensures that your entire home is kept clean during each scheduled time.
You should also consider the amount of autonomy you're willing to give your robot. Certain models require you be present and attentive, while others operate independently. They can alter cleaning schedules and cleaning modes using the mobile app or via voice commands with an integrated smart assistant. Some models map and learn your home's layout and let you create zones, and instruct the robot only to clean specific areas of your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests the iRobot J7+ was the most efficient "set it and forget it" robot. It was a master in mapping, creating virtual boundaries and getting around obstacles better than the other robots we tested. Plus, it can empty itself completely so you don't have to do that manually and has side brushes that can help sweep debris into its path from corners and edges that a vacuum may not reach.
Its slim design and infrared sensor allow it to clean under and behind furniture and behind furniture, which allows it to perform better than most robots. Its advanced navigation system enables it to sweep the entire floor of your home with just one battery charge. For a price that is affordable you'll be able to find it difficult to beat for daily use.
Battery Life
A quality robot vacuum will make keeping your floors clean feel less like a chore, and more like a treat. Promptly nabbing tracked-in dirt, crumbs, and shed pet hair can make a huge difference in the cleanliness of your home on a daily basis. A basic robot can handle most cleaning tasks. However those who prefer a more hands-off experience might want to look for a model which also can be used as an mop.
Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI provides excellent performance in both vacuuming and mopping modes. It can handle dirt, pet hair, and even cat litter. The feature to avoid objects is particularly impressive, enabling it to avoid objects and not become stuck on them.
It has a big dust bin and a battery that lasts for a long time, so it can cover a large amount of space in a single session. It is also smart vacuum, which means that it can create maps of your home and integrate with apps, like those provided by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant that let you use voice commands to control it.
The application that comes with the robot allows you to set up schedules, designate specific rooms for cleaning, or pause/resume sessions. It can even notify you the moment its battery is low and then return to its docking station to recharge.
This robot can also distinguish between hard floors and carpets, and adjust its settings according to the type of floor. This helps to prevent the machine from getting stuck on a particular type of surface and then accidentally tearing furniture. However, it is not yet able to recognize high pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so you'll still need to be vigilant about picking up large items.
To ensure that robot vacuums are in top condition, they require maintenance. This includes cleaning brushes of hair and emptying the trash bin (and sometimes washing it) after every cleaning session. Cameras and sensors should also be cleaned between each use. The manufacturer will provide specific guidelines for these and other maintenance steps, which may vary depending on the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums aren't inexpensive, but they're considerably less expensive than professional carpet cleaning machines or even a stand-up one. They also need less maintenance than traditional vacuums and most require that you empty (and sometimes wash) their bins of dust after each cleaning session, and occasionally wiping down their cameras or sensors.
A lot of robot vacuums have smart features that help them be more efficient within your home. For instance, mapping technology allows you to instruct the vacuum on where to go using an app, so it doesn't go through stairs or under furniture, where there might be a mess. Other robot vacuums can recognize the kind of floor they are cleaning, so they can alter their suction and brush features to achieve the best results.
Some models feature object avoidance, which uses sensors (or even a camera) to spot objects and toys on the floor and instruct the robot to move around them, rather than running into them. This is a great solution for families with pets or children who are prone to leaving toys around the home.
Voice control is another smart feature you may consider useful. It allows you to operate your robot with your voice, instead of the buttons on the board. robot vacuum and mop is useful if your children aren't yet old enough to operate the robot or if it's just practical for you.
How often you should use your robot will depend on how much dirt or debris has accumulated on your floor. Most experts recommend using your robot vacuum at least once a week in order to keep your floors clean and remove pet hair, lint and dirt from the surface.
If you're working with limited flooring and don't intend to utilize your robot for other purposes, a budget model such as our top pick, the Eufy 11S, is a suitable option. It's inexpensive, simple to install and operate and does the job with minimal noise disturbance while you work or watch TV.