Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are great in removing pet hair, dust and other debris from hard floors and carpets. However they leave a lot of debris on the baseboards and furniture.
Certain models can be operated by a smartphone application, while others require physical remotes. Some models include advanced features such as LiDAR navigation or floor plans that can be edited.
Object Avoidance
The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems that can keep away obstacles such as walls, furniture and cords. They also feature object-avoidance technology to detect pets, toys and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will help you save time by making sure that your robot is not stuck in the sofa or behind a bed.
Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also spot changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has but it can make an important difference to the performance and comfort of your new appliance.
A majority of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them through your home. These can work well in most circumstances, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close like lamp cords and shoes. The less expensive robots do not have the capability to learn from an obstacle that was missed and you may have to set up digital keep-out zones within your home to keep out certain objects.
Even the most powerful robot vacuums will get caught up in larger objects such as large pet poop or chair legs. The robotic cleaner 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 scratches on your floors. In the case of dogs or cats you may have to block their path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to configure in the application).
robot vacuum sale advanced robotic vacuums in this list utilize object detection 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 is able to detect up to 30 kinds of obstacles under optimal lighting conditions.
Self-Emptying Bases
Whether you have allergies or just do not have the time to manually empty the dust bin of a robot vacuum after every cleaning session a self-emptying base is an excellent feature to look for. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they should be emptied more frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
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. You'll have to purchase the self-emptying base separately in the event that it is not with the robot vacuum.
Self-emptying bases not just save you time, but also cost on dust bags. It will also help keep your home cleaner. Based on the model the base comes with separate filters that are able to trap allergens, but they may require cleaning frequently. You should always make use of the recommended filters by the manufacturer and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is an additional aspect to take into consideration. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies use, some offer Pascal (Pa) levels to provide an idea of the device's performance. In general, the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.
Also, a quality machine should have user-friendly features and a user manual that is simple to read. A well-written user manual can aid you in understanding the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is important since these machines aren't inexpensive. You should look for an instruction manual that contains instructions on maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. If you're using an app on your mobile to control the robot, you'll be able view the list of available settings and configure them according to rooms, zones or floors. Certain apps allow you to set up specific cleaning times, and even command the robot using voice. A few popular brands also let you set virtual no-go zones as well as create custom cleaning plans. The best robots will let you save a cleaning schedule and return to it at any time. If you do not remember to finish the task, the robot will resume where it began.
Long-Lasting Batteries
While robot vacuums do not have the same power as full-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can last for a long time with a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and begin cleaning themselves when they are at their base, without having to drag them back to their base. In our tests, we found that a 90-100-minute battery lifespan is perfect for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to clean your entire home in one step.
The typical dust bin on the robot vacuum has to be emptied every few cleanings. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large home or pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum can help you avoid a amount of stress. This feature lets the machine empty its own trash bin and blow and wash its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next vacuuming session.
The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is especially useful when your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwood floors that require some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these robots generally don't have the amount of suction as a traditional vacuum does and are more prone to squishy with liquid spills.
You should think about a machine that can mop and vacuum at the same time such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. These two top options are both of high-quality and provide excellent value. They both have a good level of suction and come with a big self-emptying base station. They may not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots so they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single battery charge.
Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. The model isn't expensive and doesn't have a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it does have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't able to vacuum stairs or furniture but it's an excellent option for keeping your floors looking clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great for saving time and energy, but they require constant maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. For example, choose a model with a self-emptying bin to cut down on the number times you have to empty the trash can manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly helpful when you have pets that shed a lot, or if you tend to forget to sweep and mop.
self cleaning vacuum of our top picks include additional features that can cut down on cleaning time. They include rotating brushes and suction. Consider a multi-surface cleaner with mopping pads that can be removed, which are easy to attach and stays on well or a vacuum that has LiDAR navigation that can recognize dirt spots in your home, so it slows down to clean them thoroughly.
Some models allow you to set a timer or designate rooms that need to be cleaned, and use smart home voice assistants to control the vacuum with your voice. Some models have advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles. However, you will be required to pay for these premium features.
Robot vacuums are offered in a range of prices, from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro that can only be used on hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 max+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. As with most things, if you want more features it will cost more but there are options for every budget.
If you're looking for a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around furniture and toys without getting stuck. It's got wifi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can program cleaning times and remotely control the vacuum.
Read our guide on robotic vacuums and our guide to robotic mops for more tips. Don't forget to check the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your holiday gift will arrive on time.