How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll have to do some work in order to keep your robot's home in order. This includes clearing out debris, tidying up loose cords and tangled rugs.

Choose a model that comes with a self-emptying bin. This makes it easier to clean up spills and messes. You may want a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop.

Features

Based on your needs for your home, you can choose a robot cleaner with intelligent features. Certain models are designed to draw a map of your home and make floor plans, while others have built-in cameras that provide live video feeds of your space. These cameras can also be used to identify issues and assist in problem-solving. Some robots even have an option to plan cleaning sessions and alter the frequency.

Choose a model with a self emptying dustbin if you want it to be able to vacuum and mop. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is one of the top choices we've tried because it offers both features at an affordable price. It has a small suction opening similar to those found on upright vacuums, allowing it scoop up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also uses side brushes with three bristles that move dirt and hair into the path of the robot. This model is the top in its class for many reasons, including its effective navigation, mopping capability and low price.

The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins that last for months without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner that has a self emptying dustbin and smart features that provide a hands-free cleaning experience, is a great example. It comes with a small mopping mat that removes dirt that has gotten stuck to the automatic floor cleaner. It can also glide across mats and carpets that are too heavy for other robots. Sensors can help it locate areas that are more prone to dirt, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.

Eufy Clean X10, with its user-friendly app, is another great choice. Its customization options are easy and quick to install. Its lidar mapping is quick and precise. It also allows rooms to be divided easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It's got great technology for avoiding objects that suckers up Cheerios and avoids fake dog poop. However, it struggled with stairs. Its square-front design helped it to get into corners more efficiently than the majority of robots we've tested. It's also capable of edge-hugging and sweeping along baseboards with ease.

Cleaning performance

While robots aren't able to clean deep into carpets or clean up dirt from the ground like a vacuum cleaner, they are capable of removing fine particles like baking soda and dust, as well as heavier debris such as pet hair and screws made of metal. They can also clean up spills and crumbs. Making sure that your robot is maintained with regular maintenance like emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure it has the longest lifespan possible.

The most effective robots are adept in removing fine particles from hard floors and low pile carpets. They're also good in removing orzo, sand and wood shavings. They can also clean up cat litter and metal screws but they're more likely to struggle with more sluggish items such as baked flour or coffee grounds. They're less impressive on stairs, and they don't always grab all the debris that floats around the edges of furniture.

Some models are also great in mopping. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for example, is a model that does excellent job cleaning hardwood floors. It can get rid of coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food messes. The robot's intelligent spot and area cleaning options allow you to set up the area it is to focus on. This way, the robot won't waste its time vacuuming areas which are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that does a good job of mopping, and it offers an additional advantage over the Roborock: the option to first vacuum before you mop, which is better at cleaning up spills on high-pile rug.

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a different top mopping robot. It's a little more expensive than the Roomba, but it has superior suction and is able to handle more flooring types and textures. It's smart enough to return to the charging dock when running out of water and pick up where it left off. Its app comes with a myriad of features, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, which makes it an ideal choice for homes that have children or pets.

Cost

The best robot cleaners perform well for a reasonable cost and a lot of them have clever features that can help you save money over the long term. Think about how much you'll pay for a vacuum cleaner and a mop to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. Certain models come with additional features that you may not need but can find useful, like a self-emptying bin or efficient navigation.

The most cost-effective choice is to purchase a model which can do both mops and vacuums. It is important to remember that a robot vacuum is only as effective as the dirt it collects It's not advised to avoid manual vacuuming in favour of using your robot cleaner.

It is possible to pay about $500 for a robot that can do both vacuuming as well as mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored excellent marks in the tests conducted by CR and is able to clean both bare floors and carpets. It also has a user-friendly application that lets you examine its cleaning routes and define zones that are not allowed to be used. Jaclyn found that the mopping process could be improved as it relies on gentle pressure and a dragging motion rather than scrubbering.

However, if you're on a tight budget you can still find a great deal on a top-rated robotic vacuum that does just one task, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet and it excelled on tile floors, hardwood floors carpets, and carpets with low pile. It was also extremely effective in removing pet hair, and litter.

Some robots that are budget robot vacuum-friendly have basic bump navigation systems that fail to generate a coverage map and are more likely to get stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots can still clean your floors but they are not as efficient or capable of navigate around obstacles in your home.

Shark IQ XL is another alternative. It's a budget-friendly device that has been praised for its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as smart as the Combo j9+, but it's easy to use and does a great job on both bare floors and carpets. It's also lightweight and can be moved underneath furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot cleaner is a great way to keep your home tidy, especially if you have children or pets. However, it needs some attention to ensure it is in top shape. Keeping up with regular cleaning tasks, such as emptying the dust bin washing or changing the filter, and wiping off cameras and sensors can prolong the longevity of your robot vacuum cleaners.

Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines however, you can extend the life of your vacuum by making sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying and cleaning the dustbin, brush roller, and filter. Clean the charging contacts of the robot and sensor using a damp rag to prevent them from becoming clogged.

This model is a great option when you're looking for a durable, smart robot that's easy to use. Its slim, sleek design lets it fit under low couches and ottomans to collect dirt that's hidden. The app makes it easy to select rooms and schedule the cleaning schedule, as well as to set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned and adjust the cleaning intensity.

This robot is a bit more costly than the other models in this list, but it has many features that can make up for the cost. Its mapping is fast, and it can store four maps of your home in 3D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robotics devices we tested. The battery lasts for about three hours.

The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with a stunningly high performance on walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is higher than any other Bot Cleaner we test. It has many useful smart features, such as the ability to clean up spots and an auto-boost mode. It also makes use of random navigation, so it doesn't clean the same spots over and over.

This robot has one disadvantage it is that it cannot recognize the floor's surface and can be easily confused by thick carpets and rugs. It's ideal for apartments with small spaces or homes that have narrow hallways, lots of furniture and narrow hallways.