15 Surprising Facts About Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the task of vacuuming less painful. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled by smartphone apps instead of a physical remote. Some of them have mapping capabilities that aid in navigating your home more effectively.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top choice for robot vacuums is strong enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide underneath furniture, such as couches and beds. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides accurate obstacle avoidance and intelligent navigation. It also does a great job at cleaning up pet hair baking soda, other debris close to baseboards and in corners.
In addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other powerful bots in this list include the iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a sturdy docking station that automatically performs maintenance and has mopping functionality as well. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, ensured my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints, and other messes on every type of floor we test.
A model that has 2,500Pa suction is sufficient for most homes in the lower price range. These units are quieter and therefore a better option for those with sensitive ears. They're not silent but they are only about the same as normal conversations at home.
To find the ideal balance of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For regular light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and less suction is recommended. Cleaning that is heavy-duty every week requires maximum power. Consider your flooring, home layouts, and cleaning schedules to choose the right model to meet your needs. We recommend checking out our full list of robot vacuum reviews (recent Nycpodcastnetwork blog post) and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task if it does not know how to navigate your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.
LiDAR is utilized by the most expensive models to create a virtual room map, which offers the highest levels in precision and efficiency. Cheaper models rely on bump sensors, which are more prone to error and can miss many debris in dark areas. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.
A number of the robots I tested utilized object recognition to navigate things such as cords and fake dog turds. However, the Eufy X10 was the best robot vacuum that mops. It had superb mapping capabilities and powerful oscillating mops that could be used as a user-friendly app and the ability to clean a specific area, room or the all of the house.
Other features worth a look include floor type sensors that recognize carpets with soft and hard floors and automatically boost suction power when needed. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop make use of mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dry spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution to stubborn stains.
A smaller bin will require less frequent emptying, whereas bigger ones can save money on replacements. Most low-cost robotic hoovers cleaners use an inexpensive disposable dust bag. However, most middle-priced models have larger 3L dustbins which last for a long time. Some premium robots, like the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will self-empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks to provide convenience without hands.
3. App control
The majority of robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress and schedule cleaning sessions. They also connect to smart home devices. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled via voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a remote control that allows you to begin the process, pause it, and return to dock. Select a model with a larger dustbin and can self-empty instead of one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others allow you to create no-go zones or specific rooms, ensuring that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have a cliff detector to prevent them from falling, which is useful in multi-level homes.
If you intend to use your robot vacuum with mop vacuum to clean your rugs, opt for one that is capable of dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model with a rubber roller that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some cheaper models. It's a good idea to inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for stuck-on debris every once or twice per week, too. If you notice they are beginning to get clogged up, it may be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
As the name suggests robot vacuums are made to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The most effective robot vacuums are able to pick up tiny particles like baking soda and sand and larger ones like screws made of metal orzo, pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.
All flooring types are covered, and the top robots had pickup scores of more than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two best-performing bots in this category. Both are highly automated with docking stations that perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both have self-emptying bins that automatically empty the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard as they mow. They also have an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate through even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS model is also the few robots we tested that can remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the ideal option for those who need to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the Roomba Combo J7 by iRobot Plus, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for an affordable price and decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow when it comes to mapping rooms and is susceptible to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are designed to let you get to work while keeping your floors clean and spick and clean. While you'll still need to give your home a manual vacuum mop cleaner robot every now and then Robotic vacuums can help keep a certain level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean when you're away.
Look for a robovac with a long-lasting battery to get the most use of it. A good rule of thumb is to expect a robovac to last about two cleaning sessions when you run it at the highest power setting. This is not as long as a size vacuum cleaner, however it is enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait around while your robovac charges you could choose one that will automatically make its return to the base station to recharge.
If you are looking for a robovac that can do a bit of everything, think about an all-in-one model that can mop as well. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class and offers self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to refill and wash its mops once they are out.
The clear winner of our tests is the Dyson V810, thanks to its impressive carpet and hard floor pickup, superb hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and a near perfect auto empty score. It's expensive, and unless you have the space of a small home with no pets, it may be too expensive for some. The second-placed model one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance however it costs 25 percent less.