The Best Robot Vacuums
A quality robot vacuum does the bulk of the work for you and nabs pet hair, lint and surface dirt before it can cling to furniture or sink into carpets. Many also work with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to give you the convenience of hands-free operation.
Many models come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to draw a map of your home. This helps them to avoid falling off ledges and navigating around clusters of devices if cords are.
What to Do You Look For?
Some robots have advanced features, which allow users to control them with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. These include smart mapping as well as spot and zone cleaning, and object avoidance. They might also have longer battery lives and larger dust collection bins.
Select a model with broad brushes that can clean up large debris and is thin enough to fit underneath furniture. Check if the robot vacuum is able to clean different types of floors without changing suction settings or brushes. This can decrease its effectiveness in cleaning and decrease its life span.
The most effective robot vacuums feature high-quality filters that sift out small particles to guard the interior of your home and an easy-to-access bin that you can empty it frequently. Some robot vacuums come with an additional side brush to remove pet hair or other debris in difficult-to-access places like under or behind furniture. They also typically have a clear dustbin door that helps you keep an eye on the amount of dirt accumulation so you can tell when it's time to empty.
In addition to scheduling your robot vacuum to operate at times when you're likely be at home, you can use the app to create the boundaries around your furniture and rooms that you'd like it avoid. Some models can also detect the type of flooring and adjust their vacuum and brush settings accordingly.
There are robotics that recharge and continue cleaning where they left off after their battery has run out. There are some that have an inbuilt camera that allows you to observe the path of your robot vacuum and see what it has taken in.
Certain robots can be controlled by voice commands but not all. Make sure the model you pick is compatible with the voice assistant you prefer and then test it to see how well the robot responds to different commands before buying. Some robots will even empty their trash bins and clean their docking stations, making the chores you have to do a bit more. However, this feature comes at an expense, as does an extra bin for collection and faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
While robots aren't able to replace a traditional vacuum or broom, they do provide an effective and efficient alternative to the daily chore of cleaning your floors. Whether you need to keep track of dirt as well as pet hair and crumbs or nab bigger debris like wood shavings and metal screws, most top-rated robotic cleaners are adept at removing a variety of materials on the first attempt and without causing any damage to your floor surfaces or furniture.
They will often register the type of surface they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush features according to the type of floor you have. This allows them to clean it more thoroughly. This is particularly important if your home is made up of different types of flooring. Many models come with the option to set up virtual boundaries. This lets you tell your robot to stay clear of certain areas of your home. This can help prevent your children or pets from getting in areas they shouldn't. It also ensures that your entire home is kept clean during every scheduled session.
Think about the amount of autonomy your robot will enjoy. Certain models require you to be present and attentive, while others work on their own. They can alter cleaning modes and schedules via an app on mobile devices or by voice commands via an integrated smart assistant. Some models will map and learn your space, allowing you to set up zones and instruct the robot to only clean certain areas of your home on a daily or weekly basis.
In our tests, the iRobot j7+ proved to be the top robot for "set it and leave it". It was superior in mapping the virtual boundaries and eliminating obstacles than any of the other robots we tested. Additionally, it can completely empty itself so you don't need to do it manually. It also has side brushes that help to sweep debris into its path from corners and edges that a vacuum may not reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors enable it to reach behind and under furniture for more thorough cleaning than other robots. Its advanced navigation system makes it more capable of cleaning the entire level of your home on a single charge than other models we've tested. For a price that is affordable, you'll find it tough to beat for daily use.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore and more of an enjoyable experience. The distinction between a clean home and a dirty one is made by getting rid of dirt that has been tracked into the house, as well as crumbs, pet hair, and other particles. While a robot of a basic design can keep up with most cleaning tasks, those who want more of a hands-off experience should look for a model that doubles as a mop.
Ecovacs' Deebot T10 OMNI provides excellent performance in both mopping and vacuuming modes. It can take care of pet hair, dirt, and even cat litter. Its object avoidance feature is particularly impressive, allowing it to steer clear of objects and avoid getting stuck on them.
It also comes with a long battery life and a large bin for dust which allows it to cover a decent amount of space in one session. It's also a smart cleaner, which means it can map your home, and can be used with apps like those provided by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to let you control the vacuum with voice commands.
The application that comes with the robot allows you to create schedules, assign specific rooms for cleaning, or the ability to pause and resume sessions. It will also notify you when its battery is running low and then return to its docking station to recharge.
This robot can also distinguish between carpets and hard floors, and adjust its settings accordingly. This will prevent the machine from getting stuck on a particular type of surface and causing damage to furniture. However, it isn't yet able to recognize high pile carpeting or the seams between rooms, so you will have to be cautious about picking up large items.
To ensure that robot vacuums are in good working order, they require maintenance. This includes cleaning the brushes of hair, and emptying the dust bin (and sometimes washing it) after every cleaning session. Sensors and cameras should be cleaned after each use. The manufacturer will give specific instructions for these actions and other procedures, which will vary depending on the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums may not be cheap, but they are much less expensive than a professional carpet cleaner or even a stand-up vacuum. They also require less maintenance than traditional vacuums and most require that you empty (and sometimes rinse) their bins after each cleaning session, and often wiping down their sensors or cameras.
Many robot vacuums come with clever features that make them more efficient within your home. For example mapping technology lets you tell the vacuum where to go using an app, which means it doesn't go through staircase or under furniture, where there may be the possibility of a mess. Others can identify what flooring type they are working on, allowing them to alter their suction and brush features for the best results.
Certain models have objects avoidance. The system uses sensors (or cameras) that can detect toys and other objects lying on the floor. The robot is instructed to avoid them instead of running into them. mop robot vacuum is a great option if your children or pets tend to leave toys all over the home.
One other smart feature that could be of interest to you is voice control which allows you to operate your robot using your voice instead of using the on-board buttons. This can be beneficial for children who aren't yet old enough to be able to use the controls, or if you are looking for a hands-free option.
How often you have to use your robot depends on the amount of dirt and debris is typically on your floors. The majority of experts recommend using a robotic vacuum at least once a week to keep your floors looking good and nabbing pet hair dirt and lint before it can get crushed or become difficult to get rid of.
If you're only working with the space for a floor space and don't plan to make use of the robot for other tasks such as cleaning, then an affordable model like our top choice Eufy 11S is a great option. It's easy to use and affordable, and it does the job without creating any noise when you work or watching television.