Best Robot Vacuums

The top robot vacuums are excellent in removing dust, pet hair and other particles from hard and carpet floors. However, they leave a lot of debris on furniture and baseboards.

Some models can be operated by a smartphone application and others require a physical remote. Some models come with advanced features such as LiDAR navigation and automatic floor cleaning machine maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like furniture, walls and cords. They also feature object-avoidance technology to identify pets, toys and other items that could get in the path or get caught in the suction blades. These features will save you time by stopping your robot from becoming stuck in the couch or behind the bed.

Some of the most advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+, use cameras and lasers to create a map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They can also detect changes in your living space, such as if you move an item of furniture. This isn't something every robot has but it can make a huge difference to the performance and ease of use of the new gadget.

The majority of cheaper models rely on simple sensors to help them navigate around 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 shoes and lamp cords. They are cheaper and don't have the ability to learn when obstacles are missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items out.

Even the most powerful robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items, like large pet poop or chair legs. If the object is too big, the robotic cleaner may not be capable of lifting it and will likely be forced to push it over or around the edges of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. In the case of a cat or dog it is possible to block its path with an object, such as a box or piece of furniture, or a virtual barrier (which some robots allow you to configure in the application).

The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list make use of object detection, which works in optimal and low-light conditions to see what's in the vicinity of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can sense up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

Self-emptying bases can be beneficial, especially if you have allergies or simply aren't able to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of each cleaning session. These bins can hold anything from 45 to 60 days worth of trash, which means they should be emptied far less often than the bin on the robot's own.

A number of top-rated robotic vacuums come with this feature that includes the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models Shark's AI robotics, the Roborock S8, and several others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base separately in the event that it is not included with your robot vacuum.

Self-emptying bases not only save you time, but also save you money on dust bags. It will also keep your home clean. Some bases come with separate filters for capturing allergens. They might need to be cleaned periodically, depending on the manufacturer. To ensure optimal performance you should use the filters and other accessories suggested by the manufacturer.

Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of suction power that a robot is equipped with. While there isn't a standard power scale that all companies follow, some provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the device's performance. In general the more powerful the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

A quality robot should come with features that are easy to use, as well as a user guide that is simple to follow. A well-written user manual can assist you in learning the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is important since these machines aren't expensive. You should look for the manual that provides guidelines for maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. You should be able if you are using an app on your mobile, to control the robot, to look up the available options. You can set them up in rooms, zones, or individual flooring surfaces. Certain apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions and even voice-command the machine. A number of popular brands allow you to design your own cleaning schedule and create virtual no-go zones. The best robots will let you save a cleaning plan and then return to it at any time. If you do not remember to finish the task the robot will pick up where it started.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums don't have the same power as full-sized corded uprights and cordless stick models, their specially-designed motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best self cleaning vacuum robot vacuums can run for several hours on a single charge of batteries. They also charge themselves and begin cleaning when they reach their base, without you needing to join them. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes, and will provide enough time to thoroughly clean your entire apartment in one move.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be emptied every few cleans. This can be a daunting task, particularly if you have a large residence or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums could save you some major frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin and wash and blow dries its filter after each use, ensuring that it's ready for the next cleaning session.

The majority of robot vacuums come with an adjustable or built-in water tank which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is particularly useful when your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the amount of suction as traditional vacuums have and tend to struggle with liquid spills.

If you want a robot that can also mop and vacuum, think about a one-stop combo robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top choices have excellent performance and offer excellent value. Both come with a high degree of suction, and both have a large, self-emptying station. They may not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots so they might not be able to tackle your entire home on a single battery charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. This inexpensive model does not come with a removable or built-in water reservoir. However, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't able to vacuum furniture or stairs but it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking clean between mopping and vacuuming by hand.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they do require regular maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose one that has a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of times you have to manually empty the dustbin during cleaning runs. This feature is particularly useful in the event that your pet sheds a lot or have an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.

In addition to basic features such as suction and a rotating brush and suction, many of our top 10 robot vacuum cleaner picks also come with additional features that will cut down cleaning time even more. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that is simple to attach and stays in place or a vacuum cleaner that uses LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt areas around your home, allowing it to remove them completely.

Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to pay for these features.

You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5Max+ that can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. As with most things, if you want more features you will pay more but there are options to suit every budget.

We have the best robot vacuums for you, whether you require a basic bump and best Robot vacuum roll vac or one with intelligent mapping that can wash your laundry while you're away. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's WiFi-connected 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 robot vacuum, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the Best Robot cleaner robotic vacuums. Be sure to keep track of the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your holiday gift is on time.