How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you're able to live without smart capabilities like mapping, and don't mind cleaning the trash bin every 60 days or then, a basic robot vacuum will probably work for you. Find one that has a clean base and works with voice assistants.

It is the best robotic mop and vacuum vacuum we have tested in getting rid of dirt and pet hair from tile floors, hardwood floors and carpeting with low pile. It also maps and create virtual no-go zones for rooms or areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can help you keep up with the pet fur, dust and dander that accumulates on your floor each day. It can also decrease the frequency of deep cleaning, saving your time and effort. The most effective models have powerful suction that is able to clean up most mess and leave your home cleaner.

You can cover a larger area by using a robot vacuum and mop, which is particularly beneficial if you live in an extensive home. You can find a model with a tank for water either integrated into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can remove after vacuuming. It will need to be empty and refill it, however it's an additional task that requires a little extra work on your part.

In a perfect universe you would clean your floors before using your robot vacuum, preventing it from crashing into anything. In the majority of homes it's not feasible or desirable. Fortunately, the majority of models allow you to use a smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot can detect and avoid. Some include no-go zones, which you can use to flag areas you don't want it access, such as children rooms or a stack of device cords in the corner.

This model is a good option for those looking for a simple robot cleaner without all the bells and whistles. It's quiet, works well on hard floors and low-pile rugs and can be scheduled via the app to mop or vacuum at your own convenience. It has a long battery life that can last for up to 180 minutes before needing to recharge.

2. Easy to Operate

In general robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuums require little input from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors lasers, cameras and sensors to navigate around obstacles and remove dust, food crumbs and pet hair from flooring, tile carpets, hardwood floors and low-pile carpets. A lot of models come with boundary strips to help them remain in a room. The more expensive models can be programmed to wake up at a specific time and begin cleaning. Some even come with fall detection technology that prevents tumbling down stairs or getting tangled in electrical cords.

Look for models that allow you to control from your couch using voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that allow users to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on how big your home is, you might prefer one that has a long battery life and a roomy dustbin that doesn't need to be emptying frequently.

Some robot vacuums can double as mops and use reservoirs of water to wash your floor. This is great for mopping, but not ideal for tough messes like pet poop or other wet spills. You can find hybrids with an ejectable microfiber pad for mopping, or you can choose self-emptying models that let you go 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Certain robots utilize advanced mapping technology to create a precise map as they clean. This allows them to avoid bumping into furniture or tripping over cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however, it allows your robot to get a complete understanding of your home's layout and to know where it should go when the battery is out.

If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your home that you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your children's toys or the tangled mess of gadget cords in the corner), most robots offer some method of creating virtual barriers, either via their app or a set of physical boundary strips. You can block off areas you don't wish your robot to access in order to concentrate on the areas that require the most attention.

A lot of robots are able to automatically navigate to different flooring types according to the type of flooring they're cleaning, be it that's switching between hard flooring and carpet or focusing on particular areas of your home, like baseboards and corners. In our tests it was a great feature that improved their scores on picking up hardwood and low-pile carpeting. However, it's still important to tuck away furniture and cords before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get caught or come into contact with something it shouldn't.

4. Remote Control

Most robot vacuums are WiFi-enabled and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts that enable you to control them using voice commands or through your smartphone. Many makita robot vacuum cleaner vacuums connect to smart home systems and can create an outline of the area they clean after each cleaning session. This allows them to "learn" how your home is laid out and to plan more efficient routes in future cleaning sessions. Certain models have obstacle avoidance built in, which prevents them from damaging furniture and getting stuck on objects like loose charging cables or pet hair.

Most robots come with a remote that you can use to steer them around your home. The majority of robots can be operated by mobile applications which has more options. You can create multiple cleaning schedules and make an agenda of your most-loved rooms. You can also guide the robot by using the directional Arrows.

Some models offer no-go zones These are virtual barriers that you can create in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog beds and bowls). Some apps let you create an image of your home and provide detailed information on the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has several useful features to assist you in cleaning your home. However the interface isn't as polished as that from iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that can clean your entire house without stopping to recharge or to empty their bins save time and effort. Certain robot vacuums can work with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to enable hands-free operation. They can also create an image of your space that allows you to program them to clean certain areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, but the iRobot J7 has advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can simplify your life (although one of our test bots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you're looking to improve your home's maintenance, think about an automated mop that comes with water containers that can be filled and then empty.

While no of the models we tested could match the ability to pick up dirt of a stand-up vacuum, they did an excellent job cleaning hard floors and carpets with a low pile. They are excellent at sweeping up fine dirt, food crumbs and tracked-in dirt. They are also able to handle screws and Makita Robot Vacuum Cleaner nuts made of metal and the stray cat litter. The best robot vacs can effortlessly work through furniture, and they are great at cleaning edges and corners as well. For a basic model that functions by itself and is relatively inexpensive take a look at the Eufy 11S.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum can help keep your home clean and tidy without you having to do many tasks. You can schedule cleanings through the app and create no-go zones so that your robot doesn't damage your plants or ruin your favorite chair. The majority of our top picks also automatically empty their dustbins and clean their docking stations for you.

The best robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for weeks or even months at a stretch, freeing you from the tedious chore of manually mopping and sweeping your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This lets you take more time doing the things you enjoy and reduces the time it takes to clean your floors manually.

During testing, the Q Revo was able to pick up small particles such as oatmeal and baking soda, heavier debris such as metal screws and nails and even fluffy matter like hair from pets. It does not have the smart mapping and object-avoiding features of our top picks, but it is still a good choice for most families.

The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to spot and avoid obstacles like power cords and socks, shoes, and pet waste. This means that you don't have to clean up after using your robot. However, messy rooms can cause your robot to get stuck and do poorly.