The best rated robot Vacuum Robot Vacuums
A good robot vacuum will do the bulk of the work and removes pet hair, lint and dirt before it can stick to furniture or sink into carpets. Some also integrate with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to give you the convenience of hands-free operation.
Many models include mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a map of your home. This can help them avoid falling off ledges and navigating around clusters of device cords.
What to Look For
Some robots have advanced features, which allow you to control them via voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. Smart mapping, zone cleaning, and object avoidance are a few of the features. These machines may also have larger dust bins as well as longer-lasting batteries.
Choose a model with a an extended brush that can sweep large particles and one that's small enough to fit under furniture. Check if the robot vacuum is able to clean different types of floors without altering suction settings or brushes. This can decrease the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce its lifespan.
The top robotic vacuums are equipped with high-quality filters to trap fine particles and protect your home from damage. They also come with an enormous, easily accessible bin for collecting so that you can empty it often. Some models come with an additional side brush to clean up pet hair and other debris in difficult-to-access areas behind and under furniture. They also typically have a clean dustbin door, which helps you keep an eye on the level of dirt accumulation to know when it's time to empty.
In addition to scheduling your robot vacuum for times when you're likely be at home, you can use the app to set an area around your furniture and areas that you want it to avoid. Some models are also able to detect the kind of floor and adjust their brush and vacuum settings to match.
There are robotics that recharge and continue cleaning the area they left when their battery is exhausted. Some robot vacuums come with a camera built in which allows you to view the route taken by your robot and the information it has collected.
Certain robots can be controlled via voice commands however, not all. Make sure the model you pick is compatible with the voice assistant you prefer and test it out to see how the robot responds to commands prior to purchasing. Some robots can even empty their bins and clean their docking stations which will reduce your chore list. But this feature comes at an expense, as does a larger collection bin and faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
Robots aren't the same as for a vacuum or broom. However they can be incredibly efficient and effective in keeping your floors clean. If you're looking to keep track of dirt as well as pet hair and crumbs or get rid of larger debris like metal screws and wood shavings, most top-rated robotic cleaners are capable of picking up various materials in the first pass and without causing damage to your floor surfaces or furniture.
Often, they will register the type of floor they're cleaning and adjust their suction or brush functions accordingly so that they can more effectively clean your floors. This is especially important if your home is surrounded by different kinds of flooring. Many models also come with an array of options to set up virtual boundaries, allowing you to tell the robot to stay clear from certain areas of your home. This helps prevent your children or pets from entering areas they shouldn't. It will also ensure that your house is cleaned during every scheduled session.
You should also consider how much autonomy you're willing to give your robot. Certain models require you to be active and attentive, while others can work independently. They can change cleaning modes and schedules via an app on mobile devices or by voice commands via an integrated smart assistant. Some models map and learn your space and let you create zones, and tell the robot to clean specific areas of your home on a daily or weekly basis.
In our testing, the iRobot j7+ was the top "set it and forget it" robot. It was the best in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and getting around obstacles better than the other robots we test. It can also empty itself so you do not have to manually do it. Additionally, the side brushes are used to sweep debris from edges and corners which a vacuum can't reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors also enable it to reach under and behind furniture for a deeper clean than most robots, while its advanced navigation system is more efficient in cleaning the entire area of your home in a single charge as compared to other devices we've tested. It's difficult to beat even at its affordable price.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore, and more of an enjoyable experience. Fastly removing dirt, crumbs and shedding pet hair can make a big difference in how clean your home feels every day. While a robot of a basic design can keep up with most cleaning tasks, those looking for more of a hands-off experience should look for a model that doubles as a mop.
The Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI is among the best models for both, since it is extremely efficient in both vacuuming and mop modes and is able to easily deal with dirt debris, pet hair and even cat litter. Its object avoidance function is remarkable. It lets it steer away from objects and not get caught on them.
It also has a long battery life and a large bin for dust which allows it to cover a decent amount of space in one session. It is also a smart vacuum, which means it can create maps of your home and work with applications, such as the ones offered by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant that let you control it using voice commands.
The app that comes with the robot is easy and simple to use and allows you to set schedules, designate rooms for cleaning, and to pause and resume your sessions. It will even alert you to the moment that its battery is low and 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 will prevent the machine from getting stuck on one type of floor and accidentally tearing your furniture. It is not able to detect seams or carpeting with high pile in rooms, so it is important to be cautious when picking up large objects.
All robot vacuums require a certain level of maintenance, for example getting rid of hair from brushes, emptying (and occasionally rinsing) the dust bin after each cleaning session, and wiping down sensors or cameras between uses to ensure they are in good condition. The manufacturer will provide specific guidelines for these and other maintenance procedures, which may vary depending on the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums are not expensive, but they're cheaper than a professional carpet cleaner or an entire stand-up vacuum. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, since most only require that you empty and rinse their dust bins after each cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums are equipped with intelligent features that help them be more effective in your home, such as mapping technology which lets you instruct the vacuum to follow the layout of your home through an app so it is aware not to go over the stairs or underneath the furniture where there could be a mess. Other robot vacuums are able to detect the type of floor they are cleaning, so they can alter their suction and brush features to get the most effective results.
Some models feature object avoidance. It makes use of sensors (or cameras) that detect toys and other items lying on the floor. The robot is then directed to stay clear of them instead of running into them. This is a great solution when your pets or children tend to leave toys all over the house.
Voice control is another smart feature you may consider useful. It lets you control your robot with your voice, rather than the on-board buttons. This is useful if your children aren't old enough to operate the robot or when it's convenient for you.
How often you have to use your robot will depend on the amount of dirt and dust is normally found on your floors. Most experts recommend using a robot vacuuming at least once per week to keep your floors looking good and nabbing pet hair dust and dirt from the surface before it can get crushed or become difficult to get rid of.
If you have the space for a space on your floor and do not plan to utilize the robot for any other tasks and you're looking for an affordable model like our top pick Eufy 11S is a great option. It's user-friendly, affordable, and does the job without causing any noise while you work or watch TV.