The Best Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will do the majority of the cleaning for you. It can remove pet hair, lint and surface dirt from carpets and furniture before they can get stuck. Many robot vacuums are compatible with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free clean experience.
Many models include maps, which allows them to draw a map of your home. This allows them to avoid falling off ledges and navigating around clusters of devices if cords are.
What to Look For
Some robots have advanced features that allow users to control them with voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. These include smart mapping, spot and zone cleaning, and the ability to avoid objects. They may also have longer battery life and larger dust collection bins.
Select a model that has broad brushes that can clean up large debris and is small enough to be able to fit under furniture. Find out if the vacuum can clean different types of floors without altering brushes or suction settings. This could reduce the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce its lifespan.
The best robot vacuums are equipped with high-quality filters that trap fine particles and protect your home. They also come with an enormous, easily accessible collection bin that allows you to empty it frequently. Certain robot vacuums come with an extra side brush to sweep up pet hair or other debris in hard-to reach places like under and behind furniture. The bins are typically transparent, so you can see the amount of dirt in the bin, and when to empty it.
You can also make use of the app to set the boundaries of furniture and rooms you do not want it to enter. Some models also register what type of floor they're cleaning and automatically adjust their suction and brush settings accordingly.
There are robots that recharge and continue cleaning the area they left when their battery runs out. Some also have a built-in camera that allows you to track the route of your robot vacuum and see what it has collected.
Some robots can be operated by voice commands, but not all. Make sure that the model you select is compatible with your voice assistant of choice, and test how well it responds to different commands during the purchasing process. Some robots can even self-empty their bins of dust and clean their docking stations, which can reduce your list of chores a bit. However, this feature comes at a premium, as does an extra bin for collection and faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
Robots are not a replacement for a vacuum or broom. However they can be incredibly efficient and effective in keeping your floors spotless. The most effective robotic cleaners remove small particles like dust, pet hair and crumbs, as well as larger objects like metal shavings and wood shavings. They accomplish this without damaging the floor or furniture.
They often detect the type of floor 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 you have different flooring types in your home. Many models come with the option of setting virtual boundaries. This allows you to instruct your robot to stay clear of certain areas in your home. This will to keep your pets and children from getting in areas they shouldn't. It also ensures that your entire house is cleaned during every scheduled session.
You should also consider the amount of autonomy you're comfortable with giving your robot. Some models require your attention and presence while others function independently with the capability to alter cleaning schedules and cleaning modes through a mobile app or voice commands via an integrated smart assistant. Certain models map and learn your space and let you define zones and instruct the robot to clean certain areas in your home on a daily or weekly basis.
In our tests, the iRobot+ proved to be the top robot for "set it and forget it". It was a master in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and getting around obstacles better than the other robots we test. It can also empty itself completely so you don't need to do it manually. It also has side brushes that help sweep debris away from corners and edges that the vacuum isn't able to reach.
Its slim design and infrared sensor allows it to clean under and behind furniture, allowing it to do a better job than most robots. Its advanced navigation system allows it to sweep the entire floor of your house with just one battery charge. With its low cost you'll find it hard to beat for everyday use.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore and more like an indulgence. Fastly removing dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair can make a huge difference in how clean your home is every day. A basic robot is able to handle most cleaning tasks. However those who prefer a more hands-off experience may wish to search for a model which also can be used as an mop.
Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI is a top performer 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 not get stuck on them.
It also has a long battery lifespan and a large dust bin which allows it to cover a considerable amount of space in a single session. It's also a smart cleaner, which means it can be able to map your home, and works with apps such as the ones offered by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to let you control the vacuum using voice commands.
The app that comes along with the robot lets you set up schedules, designate specific rooms for cleaning or the ability to pause and resume sessions. It will even notify you when its battery is running low and return to its docking station to recharge.
The robot can also differentiate between carpets and hard floors and adjust its settings according to the type of floor. 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 detect high pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so you will still have to be careful about picking up large items.
All robot vacuums require a certain level of maintenance, for example brush hair removal and emptying (and sometimes, rinsing) the dust bin after each cleaning session and cleaning sensors or cameras between use to keep them in top shape. The manufacturer will give specific instructions for these steps and others, which can vary according to the model.
Cost
The most effective robot vacuums may not be cheap, but they are much less expensive than professional carpet cleaning machines or even a stand-up one. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums as they only require you to empty and sometimes clean their dust bins after every cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums are equipped with smart features that can make them more effective for your home, for instance mapping technology, which allows you to guide the vacuum on the layout of your room by using an app, so it knows not to run through the stairs or under the furniture, where there might be the possibility of a mess. Others can identify what flooring type they are working on, and they can adjust their suction or brush features for the best results.
Some models feature object avoidance, which makes use of sensors (or even cameras) to identify objects and toys on the floor and instruct the robot to go around them rather than run into them. This is a great option when your pets or children are prone to leaving toys all over the home.
Voice control is a different feature you may find useful. It allows you to operate your robot using your voice instead of the buttons on board. This is a great option for children who aren't yet old enough to operate the robot or is it just more practical for you.
How often you should use your robot will depend on how much dirt or debris is on your floor. Most experts recommend using good robot vacuum a robotic vacuuming at least once per week to keep your floors looking their best and nabbing pet hair, dust and dirt from the surface before it gets crushed or become difficult to remove.
If you only have a limited amount of floor space and do not intend to make use of the robot for other tasks, then a budget model, like our top choice Eufy 11S is a great option. It's easy to use cost-effective, and can do the job without making any noise while you work or watch television.