Best Robot Vacuums

The top robot vacuums do a great job of removing pet hair and other debris on hard floors and in carpet. They leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.

Some models can be operated using a smartphone app however others require physical remotes. Some include advanced features such as LiDAR navigation or floor maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The best home vacuum cleaner robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles such as walls, cords, and furniture. They also have object-avoidance technology to recognize toys, pet food and other debris that could get in the machine's way or get caught by the suction blades. These features can save you time cleaning by preventing your robot from slipping in the sofa or behind the bed and which allows it to complete its room cleaning robot cleanup more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize cameras and lasers to create maps. This allows them to navigate more accurately and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot is equipped with, but it can significantly improve the performance and ease of your new gadget.

A majority of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them around your home. They can be useful in most circumstances, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close such as lamp cords and shoes. They are cheaper and don't have the ability to recognize when an obstacle is missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items out.

Even the most powerful robot vacuums can get stuck on larger objects, like large dog poop spills or chairs legs. The robot vacuum will not be able lift large objects and may be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This can result in unsightly skids on your floors. If you have dogs or cats you may have to block its path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the application).

The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list make use of object detection, which works in low and optimal light conditions to detect what's in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology can detect up to 30 types of obstacles under optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

Self-emptying bases can be beneficial, especially if you have allergies or simply do not have the time to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris. They should be emptied less frequently than the dustbin on the robot.

This feature is available on several top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base separately except if it's included with the robot vacuum.

In addition to reducing the amount of time you're spending cleaning bases that self-empty can also help you save money on new dust bags and help keep your home clean. Based on the manufacturer certain bases come with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they might need to be cleaned out regularly. Always use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.

The suction power of a robot is another factor to consider. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies follow, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the device's performance. In general, the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

A reputable robot must include features that are simple to use and a user guide that is easy to understand. A well-written guide can help you learn about the basics and troubleshoot problems, which is crucial because these machines aren't cheap. Find a comprehensive guide that explains setup, maintenance and troubleshooting tips. If you're using an app on your mobile to control the robot, you should be able view the list of available settings and then set them according to zones, rooms or individual floors. Some apps allow you to plan specific cleaning sessions and even speak to the robot. Many well-known brands allow you to create customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go areas. The most effective robots let you save the cleaning schedule and come back to it whenever you want. If you forget to finish the task, then the robot will resume where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums might not have the power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, however, their motors are efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for hours on a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning automatically once they reach their base without the need to take them back there. In our tests, a battery lifespan of 90-100 minutes is ideal for most households and allows you to clean your entire house in one go.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be emptied after every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, especially if have a large home or a lot of pet hair on your floors. Self-emptying robotic vacuums will help you avoid a amount of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own dustbin and even blow dry and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next vacuuming session.

Most robot vacuums have an adjustable or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is especially useful if you have heavily tiled or hardwood floors that require some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction power as a traditional vacuum and struggle to clean up liquid spills.

Think about a robot that can vacuum and mop simultaneously, such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices have excellent performance and offer great value. They both have a good level of suction and come with a large, self-emptying base station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation of our top two robots, and therefore they won't be able to complete your entire home on a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot floor cleaner. This inexpensive model does not have a removable or built-in water reservoir. It does however have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs however it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between mopping and automatic vacuum cleaners vacuuming sessions.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are great for saving time and energy, but they require daily maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose an item that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly helpful if you have pets that shed a lot or if you tend to forget to mop or sweep.

Many of our top picks have additional features that reduce the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with mopping pads that are removable, easy to attach and holds well, or a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots around your home, so it can be slowed down to clean them thoroughly.

Certain models let you set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum using your voice. Some models have advanced software which can learn the layout of your home and help you get around obstacles. However, you'll be charged a premium for these features.

There are robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on wood floors only to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+ that can Automatic vacuum cleaners and mop both carpeting and hardwoods. As with everything else when you're looking for more features you will pay more but there are options to suit every budget.

Whether you just need an ordinary bump-and-roll vacuum or a smart-mapping model that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's got wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can program cleaning times and remotely control the vacuum.

Check out our guide to robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. And don't miss our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure your holiday delivery will arrive on time.