The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is the bane of a lot of people's lives, but robot vacuums make it less tedious. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.

They have a tiny dustbin that they empty themselves, and some can be controlled from a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to assist in navigating your home more effectively.

1. Power

Our top pick for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn dirt patches and hairs. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture like sofas and beds and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It also does an excellent job at cleaning up pet hair, baking soda, and other debris close to the baseboards and in corners.

Other powerful robots that are listed besides the DEEBOT X2 OMNI include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The latter comes bundled with a robust docking station that automatically performs maintenance and mopping functions as well. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris during every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower price range, a model with a suction capacity of around 2,500Pa is sufficient for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, making them an ideal option for those with hearing issues. They aren't silent, but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.

For the best mix of usability and power, consider your cleaning needs and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent, a longer runtime with less suction is needed. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the most power. Take a look at your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules to choose the right model for your requirements. We suggest looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more details about the latest models available. Many users report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robot vacuum in their home.

2. Navigation

A robot autonomous vacuum isn't able to perform its job well if it doesn't know how to get around your home. Because of this, the Best robot vacuum cleaner UK robots rely on sophisticated navigation systems that consistently scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without getting lost or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot navigation: LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models utilize LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and can miss a lot of debris in dark areas. Many robots also have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Many of the robots I tried used object recognition to navigate things like cords and fake dog turds. But the Eufy X10 was the best. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app with excellent mapping capabilities.

Other features worth considering include floor type sensors that can detect hard floors and soft carpet and automatically boost suction power when needed. Some robots like the Roborock mop use a mopping pad lift that allows you to get into corners and clean dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on staining that is difficult to remove.

A smaller dustbin will mean less frequent emptying and a larger one will save you money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that can last for many years. Certain high-end robots, such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their dustbin and refill their water tanks for convenience without hands.

3. App control

The best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to monitor the progress of cleaning and schedule sessions, and most can connect to your smart home devices for hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Select a model with a larger trash bin and can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them recognize obstacles, such as staircases, and prevents them from getting into furniture. Others let you designate no-go zones and targeted rooms, so they only clean areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly helpful in multi-level homes.

If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum to clean rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used both for wet and dry mopping. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad and then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Find robots that have the rubber roller. This will be less likely to get caught from pet hair or other particles. It's recommended to check the robot's brushroll and side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week, too. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to replace parts.

4. Collection of debris

As the name implies, robot vacuums are designed to remove dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuums can collect tiny particles, such as sand and baking soda, and larger ones like screws made of metal, orzo, and pet hair. They also provide better pick-up results on carpets with low pile than manual vacuums.

The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores greater than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were two of our top-performing robots in this category. Both are highly automated and feature robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own, and app features that make them extremely user-friendly.

Both have self-emptying bins which eliminate the contents of the wastebasket. They can also clean the washboard while they mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance to help them navigate even the most difficult spaces. The ECOVACS robot is among the few that can clean carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It has LIDAR navigation and decent debris pickup capabilities for the price. It can be a bit slow at mapping out rooms and has a tendency of bumping into obstacles, but the price is less than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The best automatic vacuum and mop robot vacuums are designed to let you go moving with your day while they keep your floors clean and spick and span. Although you'll need to give your home a manual hoover every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a baseline level of cleanliness and even keep your home clean while you're away from home.

To maximize the time you can get out of your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for around two full cleaning sessions if you run it on the highest power setting. This is not as long as a size automatic vacuum cleaner cleaner, however it should be enough to cover most homes. If you don't want to wait for your robovac to recharge you can opt for a model that will automatically return to the base station to charge.

If you are looking for a robovac that does a amount of everything, you should consider an all-in-one robot that can mop too. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this class and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can also be programmed to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.

The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810, due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance, and an almost perfect auto vacuum and mop empty score. It's expensive and unless you have an apartment that is small and has no pets, it may be too expensive for certain. The runner-up one, the Dreametech D10+, has very similar performance but costs about 25 percent less.