The Best Robot Vacuums
A good robot vacuum does the majority of the work for you and nabs pet hair, lint, and surface dirt before it can cling to furniture or be sucked into carpets. Some also integrate with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to offer the convenience of hands-free operation.
Many models come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a map of your home. This helps them to avoid falling off ledges or navigating around clusters of devices if cords are.
What to Look For
Some robots come with advanced features that let you control them using apps and voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. Smart mapping, zone cleaning, and object avoidance are a few of the features. These machines could also have larger dust bins as well as longer-lasting batteries.
Select a model with broad brushes that can remove large particles, and is small enough to be able to fit under furniture. Make sure the robot vacuum can clean different types of floors without altering the suction settings or brushes. This can reduce its effectiveness in cleaning and decrease its lifespan.
The best robot vacuums have top-quality filters that catch small particles to guard the inside of your home and an easy-to-access bin that you can empty it frequently. Some robot vacuums have an additional side brush that can remove pet hair or other debris in hard-to reach places, such as under and behind furniture. They also usually have a door for the dustbin that is clear which allows you to keep an eye on the amount of dirt accumulation so you can tell when it's time to empty the.
In addition to scheduling your robot vacuum for times when you're most likely to be at home, you can also use the app to draw the boundaries around your furniture and areas you'd like it to avoid. Some models can also detect the kind of flooring and alter their brush and vacuum settings accordingly.
There are also robots that will recharge and continue cleaning exactly where they left off in case their battery is low. There are some that have an inbuilt camera that allows you to see your robot vacuum's route and view what it's collected.
Some robots also allow you to control them using your voice, however not all do so as easily as others. Make sure the model you select is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice and then test it to see how the robot responds to various commands prior to purchasing. Some robots will even empty their trash bins and clean their docking stations, reducing your list of chores a bit. This is a costly feature and comes with a bigger container for collecting waste and a faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
Robots are not a replacement for a vacuum or broom. However they can be extremely efficient and effective in keeping your floors tidy. The best robotic cleaners can remove small particles such as pet hair, dust and crumbs, or larger items such as metal shavings or wood shavings. They do this without harming furniture or floors.
They will often register the type of surface they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush features accordingly to clean your floors more thoroughly. This is particularly important when you have various flooring types across your home. Many models offer the option to set up virtual boundaries. This lets you tell your robot to stay clear of certain areas of your home. This will to keep your pets and children from getting in areas they shouldn't. It will also ensure that your home is kept clean during each scheduled time.
Consider the amount of autonomy your robot will enjoy. Certain models require you be active and attentive, while others can work independently. They can alter cleaning methods and schedules using the mobile app or via voice commands via an integrated smart assistant. Some will map and learn your home, allowing you to create zones and tell the robot to clean certain areas of your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests, the iRobot j7+ proved to be the top robot to "set it and leave it". It was superior in mapping virtual boundaries, making virtual borders and avoids obstacles than the other robots we evaluated. Plus, it can empty itself completely so you don't have to do it manually. It also has side brushes that can help sweep debris into its path from corners and edges where the vacuum isn't able to reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors permit it to go behind and under furniture for a deeper clean than most robots, while its advanced navigation system is more capable of cleaning the entire area of your home in one charge than other models we've tried. With its low cost you'll be able to find it difficult to beat for everyday use.
Battery Life
A high-quality robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors seem less like a chore and more like a treat. The difference between a clean home and a dirty one is made by getting rid of dirt that has been tracked in, and crumbs, pet hair, and other particles. A basic robot is able to handle the majority of cleaning tasks. However, those who prefer a more relaxed experience may wish to search for a model which also can be used as an mops.
The Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI is one of the top models for both, as it offers great performance in both its mop and vacuuming modes and can easily handle dirt debris, pet hair and even cat litter. Its ability to avoid objects is amazing. It lets it steer away from objects and not get caught on them.
It also has a long battery lifespan and a huge dust bin which allows it to cover a large amount of space in just one session. It also functions as a smart vacuum, which means it can make maps of your home and work with apps, like those offered by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow you to control it using voice commands.
The application that comes with the robot allows you to create schedules, define specific rooms for cleaning, or suspend or resume sessions. It will notify you when its battery is low and then return to the docking station for recharging.
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 getting stuck on one type of floor and then accidentally tearing furniture. However, it is not yet able to discern high pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so you'll still need to be vigilant about picking up large items.
All robot vacuums require a degree of maintenance, like brush hair removal and emptying (and sometimes, rinsing) the dust bin after each cleaning session and wiping down cameras or sensors between uses to ensure they are in good shape. The manufacturer will offer specific guidelines for these and other steps to maintain, which may vary depending on the particular model.
Cost
The best robot vacuum s aren't inexpensive, but they're considerably less expensive than a professional carpet cleaner or even a stand-up vacuum. They also require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, with most requiring only that you empty (and occasionally rinse) their bins of dust after each cleaning session, and occasionally cleaning their sensors or cameras.
Many robot vacuums come with smart features that can help them be more effective in your home, such as mapping technology that allows you to instruct the vacuum on the layout of your room via an app so that it knows not to run through the stairs or under the furniture, where there might be an issue. Other robot vacuums can detect the kind of floor they are cleaning, so that they can adjust their suction and brush capabilities to get the best results.
Some models have object avoidance, which makes use of sensors (or even a camera) to identify objects and toys on the floor and instruct the robot to go around them, rather than running over them. This is a great option if your children or pets are prone to leaving toys in the house.
Voice control is another smart feature you might consider useful. It allows you to control your robot with your voice instead of the on-board buttons. This is useful for children who aren't old enough to operate the robot, or when it's convenient for you.
The frequency at which you should utilize your robot is contingent upon the amount of dirt and dust is typically on your floors. The majority of experts suggest using a robot vacuuming at least once per week to keep your floors looking good and to remove pet hair, lint and surface dirt before it is able to get crushed or become difficult to remove.
If you're only working with a limited amount of floor space and do not plan to make use of the robot for other purpose and you're looking for a budget model, like our top pick Eufy 11S is a great option. It's easy to use, affordable, and does the job without making any noise when you work or watching TV.