Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums excel at picking up dust, pet hair and other messes from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.

Certain models can be operated using a smartphone app and others require physically operated remotes. Certain models come with advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or floor plans that can be modified.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems which allow them to stay clear of obstacles like cords, walls, and furniture. They are equipped with object-avoidance technology that detect food items, toys, and other clutter which could get in the way of the machine or get taken up by the suction. These features can help you save time cleaning by keeping your robot from getting stuck in the couch or behind the bed and making it able to complete its cleaning more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create an image of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't something every robot has, but it could make a significant difference in the performance and ease of use of your new appliance.

A lot of the less expensive models rely on sensors to help them navigate around your home. They can be useful in a variety of situations, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close, like shoes and lamp cords. The less expensive robots do not have the ability to learn from an obstacle that was missed, so you might have to create digital keep-out zones within your home for specific objects.

Even the best robot vacuums could be stuck on larger objects like chair legs or large dog poop messes. If the object is too big the robot may not be capable of lifting it, and will be forced to push it over or around the edge of the room, leaving unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you might need to block their path with a piece of furniture or a box. Some robots even allow you to create a virtual barrier within the app.

The most advanced robotic vacuums listed here make use of object detection, which works in optimal and low-light conditions to determine what's right in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for instance, have TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Basses

If you suffer from allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty a robot automatic vacuum's dustbin after every cleaning session, self-emptying bins are an option to look for. These devices can hold up to 60 days worth of trash. They must be emptied less often than the robot's dustbin.

Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature, including iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. However, you'll need to purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it comes included with the robot vacuum bot.

Apart from decreasing the amount of time you spend on cleaning the base, a self-emptying one will also help you save money on new dust bags and help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters to capture allergens. They might need to be cleaned regularly, based on the brand. It is recommended to use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to ensure the highest performance.

The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies follow however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. In general the higher the Pa rating the stronger the vacuum.

A quality robot should come with features that are easy to use and a user's guide that is easy to understand. A well-written guide will help you learn about the basics and solve issues as they arise. This is vital since these machines aren't inexpensive. Find a comprehensive manual that explains how to set up maintenance, troubleshooting and setup tips. If you're using a mobile app to control the robot, you'll be able to see the list of available settings and configure them by zones, rooms or individual flooring surfaces. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning times and even allow you to voice-command the robot. A few of the top brands allow you to set virtual no-go zones as well as create customized cleaning plans. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you like. If you do not remember to finish the task the robot will pick up where it left off.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums might not have the power of full-sized upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums but their motors are energy efficient. As such, the best robot vacuums last for hours on one charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning when they reach their destination, without needing to join them. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for most homes and will give you enough time to tidy your whole apartment on one move.

The average dust bin on the robot vacuum has to be cleaned every few cleans. This is a tedious job, especially if you have a large house or lots of pet hair and dander that you need to get rid of from your floors. A self-emptying robot vacuum can save you from a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own bin and even blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for its next session of vacuuming.

The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank that allows them to mop your hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need more attention between vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction as a traditional vacuum and struggle to remove liquid spills.

Consider a robot which can vacuum and mop simultaneously, such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks provide excellent performance and a great value. They all have a high suction level and come with a huge self-emptying base station. They don't have the sophisticated navigation of our top two robots, however, therefore they won't be able to tackle your entire home in one charge.

Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The cheapest model doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it has an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floor. The 11S doesn't have the ability to vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still an excellent option for keeping your floors looking clean between manual vacuuming and mopping sessions.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are fantastic for saving time and effort but they require daily maintenance. However, some models require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose an item with a self-emptying base to cut down on the number of instances you need to empty the trash can manually when cleaning. This feature is especially useful when your pet sheds a lot or have a habit to forget to sweep up and mop.

In addition to the regular features like a rotating brush and suction, most of our top picks also come with additional features that will cut down cleanup time even further. Consider a multi-surface cleaner with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and stays on well as well as a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots in your home, which is why it slows down to clean them thoroughly.

Some models allow you to set a cleaning schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Some models have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay more for these premium features.

You can find robot vacuums that fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that works on hardwood floors only, to the $1,600 Roborock Q5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things, if you want more features it will cost more however, there are options for everyone's budget robot vacuum.

We have the top robot vacuums for you, whether you need the basic bump and roll vac or one that has smart mapping that can wash your laundry while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech that allows it to move between furniture and toys and not get stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleaning times or remotely control the vacuum.

For more information on how to choose the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops, as well as our buying guide to the best robotic floor vacuums vacuums. Be sure to keep track of our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your Christmas delivery arrives in time.