Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums do a great job of picking up pet hair and other particles on hard floors and in carpet. However, they leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.

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

Object Avoidance

The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems that keep away obstacles such as walls, furniture and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to identify toys, pet food, and other clutter that could get in the machine's way or get caught by the suction blades. These features will save you time by preventing your robot from getting trapped under the sofa or behind a bed.

Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, Vacuum bot use cameras and lasers to create the map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also spot changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't something that every robot has, but it can make a huge difference to the performance and convenience the new gadget.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. They are able to work in a variety of situations however they can get caught up in objects that are too close like lamp cords and shoes. These robots are cheaper and don't have the ability to recognize when obstacles are missed. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items, like large dog poop splatters or even chair legs. If the object is too large the robot may not be capable of lifting it, and may be forced to push it across or around the edges of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you may have to block their path by using a furniture or box. Some robots will permit you to create a virtual barrier in the app.

The most advanced robotic vacuums featured below use objects detection to identify what is in their path, even in low-light conditions. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology can identify more than 30 types of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you suffer from allergies or don't have time to manually empty the dustbin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days of debris. They should be cleaned less often than the dustbin of the robot.

This feature is offered on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, including iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI Robot, the Roborock S8, among others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base on your own, unless it comes with your robot vacuum.

Self-emptying bases will not just save your time, but also cost on dust bags. It also keeps your home spotless. Some bases come with separate filters to capture allergens. These may need to cleaned frequently, based on the manufacturer. To ensure optimal performance you should use the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.

One other factor to consider is the amount of suction power that a robot is equipped with. There isn't a standard power scale that is used by all companies, but some offer Pascal (Pa), which gives you a sense of the performance of the device. In general the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

A good robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's guide that's easy to understand. A well-written manual will aid you in understanding the basics and resolve common issues, which is crucial because these machines aren't cheap. It is recommended to look for the manual that provides tips on maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. If you're using a mobile app to control the robot, you should be able view a list of all available settings and configure them according to rooms, zones or floors. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even speak to the robot. A number of popular brands allow you to create customized cleaning plans and set virtual no-go areas. The top robots let you save your cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you like. If you fail to complete the task, the robot will continue where it began.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums do not have the same power as the full-sized corded upright and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can run for several hours on a single battery charge. They also recharge themselves and begin cleaning automatically when they reach their base without having to drag them back there. In our tests, we found that a 90-100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to clean your whole apartment on one move.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be emptied after every few cleanings. This can be a difficult task, especially if have a large house or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is why self-emptying robot vacuums could save you some major frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own bin and even wash and blow dries its filter after each use, so it's ready for its next session of vacuuming.

The majority of robot vacuums have a built-in or removable water tank that lets them mop your hard surfaces. This is especially useful if your floors are tiled heavily or have hardwood floors that require more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping robots generally don't have the same level of suction that a traditional vacuum does and often struggle with spills of liquid.

Think about a robot that can vacuum and mop 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 great value. Both models come with a high degree of suction, and they come with a huge self-emptying station. They do not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, though, so they might not be able to complete your entire home on a single charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands-free mopping robot. This inexpensive model does not include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it does have a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and can be used to sweep, vacuum Bot mop and spot clean your floor. The 11S isn't able to vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still an excellent choice to keep your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums are able to save you time and effort, they require regular maintenance. Fortunately, some models require less effort than others. For instance, select one that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number instances you need to empty the trash can manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly beneficial when your pet sheds a lot or if it's a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.

In addition to basic features such as suction and a rotating brush, most of our top picks include extra features that can cut down cleaning time even more. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is easy to put on and stays in the right place as well as a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to identify dirt spots around your home to clean them thoroughly.

Some models allow you to create a cleaning schedule, designate the rooms to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to remote control vacuum cleaner the vacuum using your voice. Some models have advanced software that can understand the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay for these features.

You can find robot vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on wood floors only to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+ that can mop and Vacuum bot both carpeting and hardwoods. Like everything else the more features you want the more expensive, but there are reliable choices at any price level.

If you're looking for a basic bump-androll vac or an intelligent-mapping model that will 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 wifi-equipped and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.

For more advice on selecting the best rated robot vacuum robot vacuum, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic vacuum cleaner mops and our buying guide for the best robotic vacs. And don't miss our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your holiday gift arrives in time.