The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop, and climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin that they empty by themselves. Others can be controlled via an app on your smartphone instead of the physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to help them navigate your home more effectively.

1. Power

With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its slim square shape enables it to slide beneath furniture such as beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology allows for precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair, and other debris near baseboards and corners.

Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair as well as muddy paw prints and other debris throughout every floor type test we ran.

In the lower price range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These units are quieter, which makes them the ideal option for those who have sensitive hearing. They're not silent, but they're only the same volume as a normal conversation at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning needs to find the right combination of power and convenience. A regular light-duty cleaning schedule requires longer time to run and lower suction, while weekly heavy-duty cleaning demands maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts and cleaning schedules in order to select the best robotic mop and vacuum model for your needs. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users have reported that their carpets and bare floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum cannot perform its task when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. The best rated robot vacuum robots employ sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Bump sensors are used in less expensive models, but they aren't always accurate and miss a lot debris when working in dark places. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It had excellent mapping capabilities, powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean a specific zone, room or entire house.

Other features worth looking into include sensors for floors that can recognize hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots, like the Roborock mop, utilize a mopping pad lift to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids are able to apply cleaning solution on stubborn stains.

A smaller bin will mean less frequent emptying however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic hoovers cleaners typically use a small disposable dust bag, whereas the majority of mid-range models come with larger dust bins of 3L that last for ages. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their bins and fill their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. A lot of robot vacuums can be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Pick a model that comes with an extra large dustbin and is able to self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles such as furniture and stairs. Some allow you to designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so that they only clean areas that need it most. They also come with cliff sensors to keep them from falling down the stairs, which is especially beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry mopping and wet. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some cheaper models. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris stuck on once or twice a week as well. If you notice that they're beginning to get blocked, it could be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Robot vacuums are created, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris from your floors. The best ones pick small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal, and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with low pile than many manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and apps that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins that automatically remove the contents of the wastebasket. They also have the ability to clean the washboard while they mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, smart mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the only robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between vacuuming and mopping frequently.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, we suggest the Roomba Combo J7 from iRobot+, our budget-friendly pick. It comes with LIDAR navigation at a reasonable price and a decent debris collection performance. It is slow in mapping rooms and is prone to bumping against obstacles, but the price is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best robot vacuum cleaner and mop robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in top state. While you'll still need to give your home a manual hoover every now and then Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean even when you're away.

Choose a robovac that has an extended-lasting battery to get the most out of it. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a large vacuum however, it should be enough to get the job done in most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac charges, you can also select one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category. It provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can even be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mop pads when they're empty.

Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick-up as well as its excellent hair pickup and tangle-free, and a close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's expensive and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it could be too expensive for some. The second-placed model, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25% less.