The Best Robot Vacuums
A good robot vacuum will do the bulk of the work for you and nabs pet hair, lint, and surface dirt before it can stick to furniture or be sucked into carpets. Many robot vacuums integrate with smart assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free clean experience.
Many models have the ability to map, allowing them to create an interactive map of your house. This can help them avoid falling off ledges or navigating cords that connect devices.
What to Do You Look For?
Some robots have advanced features, which 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 lives and bigger dust collection bins.
Find a model that has a a wide brush that can clean up large pieces of debris and one that is slim enough to fit under furniture. Also, check if the vacuum can move over multiple floor types without having to swap out brushes or change suction settings, which could decrease the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce its lifespan.
The top robotic vacuums have high-quality filters that can trap fine particles and protect your home from damage. They also have an enormous easy-to-access collection bin that allows you to empty it frequently. Some come with an additional side brush that can be used to sweep up pet hair and debris in difficult-to-access places such as behind and under furniture. They also usually have a door for the dustbin that is clear, which helps you keep an eye on the level of dirt accumulation so you know when it's time to empty the.
In addition to scheduling your robot vacuum to run at times when you're likely be at home, you can also use the app to set an area around your furniture and the rooms that you want it to avoid. Some models also register what type of floor they're cleaning, and automatically adjust their suction and brush settings to match.
There are also robots that can recharge and continue cleaning right where they left off in case their batteries are running low. And some have a built-in camera that allows you to see your robot vacuum's route and see what it has taken in.
A lot of robots let you control them with your voice, though not all of them do it as effortlessly as other models. Make sure that the model you choose is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice and then test it to see how the robot responds to different commands prior to purchasing. Some robots can even self-empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations, which can reduce the chores you have to do a bit. However, this feature comes at a premium, as does an extra bin for collection and a faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
Robots aren't a substitute for a vacuum or broom. However they can be extremely efficient and efficient in keeping your floors tidy. The most effective robotic cleaners pick up small debris such as dust, pet hair and crumbs, as well as larger items like metal shavings and wood shavings. They do this without harming furniture or floors.
They usually detect the type of surface that 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 across your home. Many models come with the option to set virtual boundaries. This lets you 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 at the end of every scheduled session.
You should also think about how much autonomy you're comfortable giving your robot. Certain models require your attention and presence while others work independently and can change the cleaning mode and schedule via a mobile app or voice commands through an integrated smart assistant. Certain models map and learn your space and let you define zones and instruct the robot only to clean certain areas in your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests the iRobot J7+ was the most efficient "set it and forget it" robot. It was the best in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and eliminating obstacles better than the other robots we tried. Additionally, it can empty itself completely so you don't have to do that manually and has side brushes that help to sweep debris away from corners and edges where the vacuum isn't able to reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors also allow it to get under and behind furniture for a deeper clean than most robots, and its advanced navigation system makes it more capable of cleaning the entire floor of your home on a single charge than other models we've tested. Even at its affordable price you'll find it hard to beat in everyday use.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel like less of a chore and more of an enjoyable experience. Promptly nabbing tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shedding pet hair can make a big difference in how clean your home feels on a daily basis. A basic robot can handle the majority of cleaning tasks. However those who prefer a more hands-off experience might want to look for a model which also doubles as an mop.
Ecovacs' Deebot T10 OMNI provides excellent performance both in vacuuming and mopping modes. It can take care of pet hair, dirt and even cat litter. The feature to avoid objects is awe-inspiring, robot vacuum deals allowing it to steer clear of objects and avoid getting stuck on them.
It also comes with a long battery life and a huge dust bin, making it able to cover a considerable amount of space in a single session. It's also a smart cleaner which means that it can map your home and works with apps such as the ones offered by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to allow you to control the vacuum with voice commands.
The software that comes with the robot is easy and straightforward to use and allows you to set schedules, define rooms for cleaning, or stop and resume sessions. It will alert you when its battery is low and then return to the docking station to recharge.
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 one type of floor and causing damage to furniture. However, it isn't yet able to recognize high pile carpeting or the seams of rooms, so you will still have to be careful about picking up large objects.
All robot vacuums require a degree of maintenance, like removing hair from brushes and emptying (and occasionally rinsing) the trash bin after each cleaning session, and cleaning sensors or cameras between use to keep them in top shape. The manufacturer will provide specific instructions for these steps and other steps, which may differ depending on the model.
Cost
The top robot vacuums are not inexpensive, but they're cheaper than a professional carpet cleaner, or even a full-size stand-up vac. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, since most only require that you empty and sometimes clean their dust bins after every cleaning session.
A lot of robot vacuums have clever features which make them more efficient within your home. For instance mapping technology lets you instruct the vacuum on where to go through an app, ensuring it doesn't get stuck in stairs, or under furniture, where there might be a mess. Other robot vacuums can recognize the type of flooring they are cleaning so they can alter their suction and brush capabilities to ensure the best results.
Some models come with object avoidance. It makes use of sensors (or cameras) that can detect toys and other items lying on the floor. The robot is then directed to stay clear of them, instead of running into them. This is a great option for families with pets or children who are prone to leaving toys in the house.
One other smart feature that may be important to you is voice control which allows you to operate the robot using your voice instead of using the buttons on board. This is helpful for children who aren't old enough to operate the robot or is it just more practical for you.
How often you should use your robot will be contingent on the amount of dirt or debris is on your floor. The majority of experts recommend using a robotic vacuuming at least once per week to keep your floors looking good and nabbing pet hair lint and surface dirt before it gets ground in or become more difficult to remove.
If you're working with limited flooring and don't intend to use your robot for other tasks, a budget model such as our top pick, the Eufy 11S, is a great option. It's affordable, easy to set up and use and does the job without causing any noise disruption while you watch TV or work.