How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you're willing to live without advanced features such as mapping, and aren't worried about cleaning the trash bin every 60 days or so, a basic robot vacuum is likely to work for you. Pick a model that has an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.
It excels at picking up dirt, pet hair and cat litter on hardwood floors, tile and low-pile carpeting better than any other robo vacuum we've tried. It also has the ability to map out and create virtual no-go zones in rooms or specific areas.
- Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum is able to stay clean of the pet hair, dust and dander that collects on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, saving your time and effort. The best models have powerful suction, which can tackle most messes with ease and leave your house cleaner.
You can cover more area by using a robot vacuum and mop, which can be beneficial if you live in an extensive home. There are models with a tank for water either built into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can swap out after vacuuming. It will need to be empty and refill it, however, so this is an additional chore that requires some extra effort on your part.
In a perfect universe it would be ideal to clean your floors first before using your robot vacuum, preventing it from crashing into anything. However, in the majority of homes, this isn't possible or desirable. Thankfully, many models allow you to use a smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot will be aware of and avoid. Certain models have no-go zones that you can mark areas you don't wish it to enter. For instance the child's room or a pile cords in the corner.
If you're looking for a simple robot vacuum without all the bells and bells, this model from the company that makes networking TP-Link is a great option. It is quiet, is able to work on hard floors as well as low-pile carpets and can be programmed through the app to mop and vacuum at your convenience. It comes with a battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.
- Simple to operate
Robot vacuums generally require very little effort from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors lasers, cameras and sensors to maneuver around obstacles and remove food particles, dust and pet hair from floors, tile carpets, and hardwood. Many models have boundary strips to help them remain inside the room. More expensive models can be programmed to wake up at a specific time and start cleaning. Some models even have fall detection technology that helps them avoid falling down the stairs or getting tangled in electrical cords.
Look for models that allow you to control from your couch via voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also look for models with Wi-Fi connectivity that allow you to start cleaning sessions from anywhere through an app. Depending on how large your house is, you might prefer an item with a long-lasting battery and a spacious dust bin that doesn't require being regularly emptied.
Some robot vacuums double as mops and use water reservoirs to clean your floors. This is helpful for regular mopping but won't be effective for messes that are more difficult to clean, such as pet poop or other spills that get wet. You can find hybrids with a removable microfiber pad that can be used for mopping, or choose self-emptying models that let you go for 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.
- Smart Mapping
Certain robots utilize advanced mapping technology to build a detailed map while they clean. This helps them avoid crashing into furniture and tripping on cords or chairs. This feature is usually only available on higher-end models, but it's certainly one of the most effective ways to ensure that your robot has an accurate understanding of the layout of your home and can determine where to go when it's low on battery.
If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your house that you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your children's toys or the tangled mess of gadget cords in the corner) The majority of robots offer some method of creating virtual barriers, either through their apps or a set of physical boundary strips. You can block off areas that you don't want your robot to go into, so that it can concentrate on the rooms that need the most attention.
Many robots will also automatically change floors depending on the kind of floor they are cleaning. This can be accomplished by switching from carpet to hard flooring or by focussing on certain areas of your home, such as corners and baseboards. In our tests this was a helpful feature that improved their pick-up scores for both hardwood and low-pile carpeting. It is important to secure any furniture or cords that are loose prior to using your robot vacuum, so that it doesn't become caught.
- Remote Control
Most robot vacuums come with WiFi capabilities and can be controlled with voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many robot vacuums are connected to smart home systems, and can create a map of the space they clean after each cleaning session. This lets them "learn" the way your home is laid out, and then plan more efficient routes for future cleaning sessions. Some come with obstacles avoidance built-in, which prevents them from damaging furniture and getting stuck on things such as loose charging cables or pet hair.
Most robots come with a remote you can use to pilot them around your home. However, many can be controlled with a mobile app that offers more features. You can usually set up multiple cleaning schedules, create the list of rooms you like and even manually guide your robot to specific areas by using directional arrows that appear on the screen.
Some models have no-go zones. These are virtual barriers that you can set up in the app to stop the robot from accessing certain areas (like toys for children or dishes and dog beds). Some apps let you create an outline of your home and provide more detailed information about the floors. The app on our top choice one, the Roborock S7+, has many useful options to help you clean your house, but its interface isn't as polished as the ones from iRobot and Shark.
- Long Battery Life
Robot vacuums that can clean your entire house without stopping for a recharge or to empty their dustbins save time and effort. Some of them work with smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also create an outline of your home, allowing you to program them to clean specific rooms or areas and stay clear of obstacles.
Most robot vacuums offer some degree of object detection and object detection, but more expensive models such as the iRobot J7 have advanced features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that will make your life easier (although our test bot did once "eat" socks). socks). If you want to take your home cleaning to the next level, look for a robotic mop with a water tank that you fill and empty yourself.
While none of the models we tested beat the dirt-picking power of a stand-up model, they all do a great job at cleaning carpets and hard floors. They excel in sweeping up dust and food crumbs, tracked-in dirt and pet hair. They can also handle nuts and screws made of metal, as well as stray cat litter. The best robot vacs can easily work their way around furniture and are great at cleaning corners and edges as well. For an affordable model that can work by itself and is relatively inexpensive, check out the Eufy 11S.
- Convenient Self-Charging
A robot vacuum can keep your home tidy and clean without having to do many tasks. You can schedule your cleanings using the app and create no-go zones so that your robot won't trample your plants or your favorite chair. A majority of our top picks will also empty their trash bins for you and clean their docking stations.
The best robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for weeks or even months at a time, removing you from the tedious chore of manually sweeping and mopping your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This lets you have more time to do the things you enjoy and decreases the amount of time your floors have to be cleaned manually.
During tests during testing, Q Revo was able to capture fine particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also grabbed larger particles like nails and screws made of metal, as well as fluffy stuff like pet hair. It lacks the best robot vacuum cleaner and mop smart mapping and object-avoiding features found in our top picks, but it is still a great choice for most families.
The best thing about the j7 is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords and socks, shoes as well as pet waste. This means that you don't need to tidy up before you can run your robot, although messy rooms can mean that the robot may become stuck and not do as well.