The Best Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will do most of the cleaning work for you. It will take pet hair, lint, and dirt from surfaces and furniture before they become stuck. Many robot vacuums integrate with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free cleaning experience.
Many models come with maps, which allows them to create maps of your home. This helps them avoid tumbling off ledges or navigating clusters of device cords.
What to Do You Look For?
Some robots come with advanced features that let you control them via apps and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. These include smart mapping, spot and zone cleaning, and object avoidance. They may also have longer battery life and larger dust collection bins.
Select a model with a wide brush to clean up large debris and is small enough to fit underneath furniture. Also, make sure that the vacuum can be used on multiple kinds of floors without having to change brushes or alter suction settings. This can reduce its cleaning effectiveness and shorten its life.
The best robot vacuums are equipped with high-quality filters that can catch fine particles and safeguard your home from damage. They also have an enormous, easily accessible collection bin that allows you to empty it often. Some models come with an additional side brush that can be used to sweep up pet hair and other debris in difficult-to-access places such as under and behind furniture. They also usually have a door for the dustbin that is clear that helps you keep an eye on the level of dirt accumulation to can tell when it's time to empty.
You can also make use of the app to establish limits around furniture and rooms you don't want it to enter. Certain models can also detect the kind of floor they're cleaning and automatically adjust their brush and suction settings to match.
There are robots that can recharge and continue cleaning where they left off when their battery runs out. There are some that have an inbuilt camera that allows you to see your robot vacuum's route and even see what it's collected.
Some robots are operated by voice commands however, not all. Make sure the model you choose is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice and test it out to see how well the robot responds to commands before buying. Some robots can even self-empty their trash bins and clean their docking stations, which can reduce your list of chores a bit. This is a costly feature and comes with a bigger collection container and faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
While robots cannot substitute for a full-on vacuum cleaner or broom, they do offer a reliable and effective alternative to the routine of cleaning your floors. The best robotic cleaners can clean up small particles such as dust, pet hair, and crumbs, or larger objects like metal shavings and wood shavings. They accomplish this without harming the flooring or furniture.
They will often register the type of surface they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush functions according to the type of floor you have. This allows them to clean it more thoroughly. This is particularly important if you have a variety of flooring throughout your home. Many models offer the option to set virtual boundaries. This lets you instruct your robot to stay clear of certain areas of your home. This helps prevent your children or pets from getting into areas they shouldn't. It helps ensure that your house is cleaned during each scheduled session.
It is also important to consider the level of autonomy you're comfortable giving your robot. Some models require you to be present and attentive, while others operate independently. They can alter cleaning modes and schedules via the mobile app or via voice commands using an integrated smart assistant. Some will map and learn your space and allow you to create zones and instruct the robot to only clean specific areas here of your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests, the iRobot j7+ proved to be the best robot for "set it and forget it". It was the best in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and getting around obstacles better than the other robots we tried. Additionally, it can empty itself completely so you don't have to do it manually. It also has side brushes that help sweep debris away from corners and edges where it is difficult to reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors also enable it to reach behind and under furniture to provide more thorough cleaning than other robots, while its advanced navigation system is more efficient in cleaning the entire area of your home in one charge than other models we've tried. It's difficult to beat, even at its affordable price.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore, and more of an enjoyable experience. Fastly removing dirt, crumbs and shedding pet hair can make a big difference in how clean your home is every day. A basic robot can take care of most cleaning tasks. However, those who prefer a more relaxed experience may wish to search for a model that serves as a mop.
Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI provides excellent performance in both mopping and vacuuming modes. It can handle dirt, pet hair, and even cat litter. The feature to avoid objects is particularly impressive, enabling it to avoid objects and not get stuck on them.
It also has a long battery life and a large bin for dust that allows it to cover a considerable amount of space in one session. It's also smart vacuum, which means it can make maps of your home and work with apps, like those provided by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow you to control it with voice commands.
The software that comes with the robot is easy and straightforward to use, allowing you to set schedules, assign rooms for cleaning, or stop and resume sessions. It will alert you when its battery is low and will return to the docking station for recharging.
The robot is also able to distinguish between carpets and hard floors, and adjust its settings according to the type of floor. This prevents the machine from squeezing on a particular type of surface and accidentally tearing your furniture. However, it is not yet able to discern high pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so you'll still have to be careful about picking up large objects.
To ensure that robot vacuums are in good working order they require regular maintenance. This includes cleaning the brushes of hair and emptying the trash bin (and sometimes washing it) after each cleaning session. Cameras and sensors should also be cleaned between each use. The manufacturer will provide specific instructions for these steps and other procedures, which will vary according to the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums are not expensive, but they're cheaper than a professional carpet cleaner or even an all-in-one stand-up vac. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, as most only require that you empty and occasionally rinse their dust bins following every cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums have smart features that make them more efficient within your home. For instance mapping technology allows you to tell the vacuum where to go through an app, ensuring it doesn't run into the stairs, or under furniture, where there might be the possibility of a mess. Other models can determine the flooring type they are working on, allowing them to adjust their suction or brush functions to achieve the most effective results.
Some models have object avoidance, which makes use of sensors (or even cameras) to identify toys and other items on the floor and coach the robot to go around them, rather than running through them. This is a great option when your pets or children are known to leave toys all over the home.
Voice control is another smart feature you may find useful. It lets you operate your robot using your voice instead of the buttons on the board. This is a great option for children who aren't yet old enough to operate the robot, or when it's practical for you.
How often you have to use your robot will depend on how much dirt and debris is typically on your floors. Most experts suggest using a robot vacuum several times a week to keep your floors looking their best and nabbing pet hair, lint and surface dirt before it gets trapped or become difficult to get rid of.
If you're only working with a limited amount of floor space and do not intend to use the robot for any other tasks, then a budget model, like our top pick Eufy 11S is a great choice. It's easy to use and affordable, and it does the job without making any noise when you work or watching TV.