Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums excel at picking up pet hair, dust and other debris from hard and carpet floors. They leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.

Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application and others require a physical remote. Some models have advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation and editable floor maps.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that keep away obstacles such as furniture, walls, and cords. They have object-avoidance technologies that detect food items, toys and other debris that could hinder the operation of the machine or get sucked up into the suction. These features will help you save time by making sure that your robot is not trapped under the couch or behind the bed.

Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create a map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They also can detect changes to your living space, like if you move an item of furniture. This isn’t a feature every robot comes with, but it could be a significant improvement in the performance and ease of your new device.

A majority of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. These can work well in most circumstances, but they can easily become entangled with objects that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. The cheaper robots lack the capability to learn from a missed obstacle and you may have to create electronic keep-out zones around your home to keep out certain objects.

Even the best robot vacuums may get stuck on larger objects such as chair legs or dog Poop poop mess. The robotic cleaner will not be able to lift large objects and could be forced to push them over or around the edges of the room. This can result in unsightly flooring with sludge. If it’s a cat or dog it is possible to block its path with a box, a piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to configure in the application).

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

Self-Emptying Basses

If you suffer from allergies or don’t have time to manually empty a robot vacuum’s trash bin after each cleaning session, a self-emptying base is a convenient feature to look for. These devices can hold up to 60 days worth of dust. They should be emptying less often than the dustbin on the robot.

This feature is available on several high-rated robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark’s AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. But, you’ll need purchase the self-emptying base on your own, unless it comes with the robot vacuum.

In addition to cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one can also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home clean. Based on the manufacturer the base comes with separate filters that are able to trap allergens, but they may require cleaning periodically. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended to make use of the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. While there isn’t a standard power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the robot’s performance. In general the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

Finally, a good machine should have user-friendly features and a user’s manual that is simple to read. A well-written guide can help you learn about the basics and solve issues, which is crucial because these machines aren’t cheap. You should seek out the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. If you’re using a mobile application to control the robot, you should be able to view the available settings and set them by rooms, zones or floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even speak to the robot. A number of well-known brands allow you to create customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go areas. The top robots allow you to save your cleaning schedule and return to it at any time you wish. If you do not remember to finish the task, the robot will resume where it left off.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Although robot vacuums don’t have the same power as fully-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. Therefore, the most efficient robot vacuums last for hours on one charge. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning once they have reached their home base, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, we discovered that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and will give you enough time to clean your entire apartment in one step.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This is a time-consuming task, especially when you have a big home or a lot of pet hair and dander to clean from your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums can save you some major frustration. This feature lets the machine empty its own dustbin and wash and dry its filter after each use, so that it is prepared for its next session of vacuuming.

Many robot vacuums also come with a removable or built-in water tank that allows them to clean your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful for tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention in between your regular vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don’t have the level of suction that a traditional vacuum does and often struggle with spills of liquid.

You should think about a machine that can vacuum and mop at the same time like the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer an excellent value. They all have a high level of suction and come with a huge, self-emptying base station. They might not have the advanced navigational capabilities of our top-rated robots so they might not be able to take on your entire house on a single battery charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The model isn’t expensive and doesn’t include a removable or integrated water reservoir. It does however have a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floor. The 11S is not a vacuum designed for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are fantastic to save time and energy, but they require regular maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose a model that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful when you have pets that shed a lot or if you are prone to forgetting to mop or sweep.

Most of our top picks have additional features that can cut down on the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is simple to attach and stays in the right place, or a vacuum that uses LiDAR navigation to detect dirt spots around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.

Some models let you set a schedule or designate rooms that need to be cleaned and utilize smart home voice assistants to control the vacuum with your voice. Certain models feature advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and help you navigate around obstacles. However, you will be required to pay for these features.

There are robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, ranging from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+, which can mop and Vacuum bot both carpeting and hardwoods. Like most things, the more features you’d like, the higher the price, but there are reliable options for every price point.

If you’re looking for an ordinary bump-and-roll vacuum or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you’re away, we’ve got the best robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with an excellent technology for avoiding objects, allowing it to maneuver around toys and furniture and not get stuck. It’s WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vac.

Check out our guide to robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic mops to learn more tips. Make sure to look over our recommended shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery is on time.