The Best Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will do the majority of the cleaning for you. It will take pet hair, lint, and surface dirt from carpets and furniture before they can get stuck. Many also work with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to offer a hands-free experience.
Many models come with the ability to map, allowing them to create an interactive map of your house. This helps them avoid tumbling off ledges and traversing the cords of devices.
What to Look For
Certain robots have advanced features that allow you to control them using apps and voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. These include smart mapping as well as cleaning zones and spots, and the ability to avoid objects. These machines may also have larger dust bins and longer-lasting batteries.
Choose a model that has broad brushes that can clean up large debris and that is slim enough to be able to fit under furniture. Check if the robot vacuum is able to clean various kinds of floors without changing suction settings or brushes. This could reduce its effectiveness in cleaning and decrease its lifespan.
The top robot vacuums are equipped with high-quality filters that catch fine particles and safeguard your home from damage. They also have an ample easy-to-access collection bin so you can empty it frequently. Some have an extra side brush that can be used to sweep up pet hair and debris in difficult-to-access areas under and behind furniture. They also usually have a door for the dustbin that is clear that helps you keep an eye on the amount of dirt buildup so you know when it's time for you to empty.
You can also make use of the app to establish boundaries around furniture and rooms that you don't want it entering. Certain models also recognize the kind of floor and adjust their vacuum and brush settings to match.
There are robots that can recharge and continue cleaning where they left off after their battery has run out. Some also have a built-in camera that allows you to observe the path of your robot vacuum and even see what it's collecting.
A lot of robots let you control them with your voice, though not all do so as easily as others. Make sure that the model you pick is compatible with the voice assistant of your choice and test it out to see how well the robot responds to different commands prior to purchasing. Some robots are able to automatically empty their bins of dust and clean their docking stations, reducing your chore list a little more. 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 broom or vacuum. However they can be extremely efficient and efficient in keeping your floors spotless. It doesn't matter if you have to keep track of tracked-in dust, crumbs and pet hair or nab bigger debris like wood shavings and screws Most top-rated robotic cleaners are adept at picking up different types of debris on the first pass and without causing any damage to your furniture or floors.
They usually detect the type of surface they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush functions in order to clean your floors more thoroughly. This is particularly important if your home has different kinds of flooring. Many models come with the option to set up virtual boundaries. This lets you instruct your robot to stay clear of certain areas in your home. This can help keep your pets or children from getting in areas they shouldn't. It helps ensure that your house is cleaned at the end of every scheduled session.
Consider the amount of autonomy your robot will have. Certain models require you be present and attentive, whereas others can work independently. They can change cleaning modes and schedules via a mobile application or voice commands via an integrated smart assistant. Some models will map and learn your home and allow you to define zones and instruct the robot to clean specific areas of your home on a weekly or daily basis.
In our tests, the iRobot was the most efficient "set it and forget it" robot. It was the best in mapping, forming virtual boundaries and getting around obstacles better than the other robots we test. It can also empty itself completely so you don't have to do it manually. It also has side brushes that help sweep debris out of corners and edges where a vacuum may not reach.
Its slim profile and infrared sensors enable it to reach under and behind furniture for a deeper clean than most robots, while its advanced navigation system is more efficient in cleaning the entire area of your home in one charge than other devices we've tried. It's a tough one to beat, especially at its price.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore, and more like a treat. Quickly removing dirt, crumbs, and shed pet hair can make all the difference in how clean your home feels on a daily basis. While a simple robot is able to handle the majority of cleaning tasks, those seeking more of robot vacuum and mop a hands-free experience should choose a model that doubles as a mop.
Ecovacs' Deebot T10 OMNI provides excellent performance in both vacuuming and mopping modes. It can handle pet hair, dirt, and even cat litter. Its object avoidance function is remarkable. It lets it avoid objects and avoid getting caught on them.
It also comes with a long battery life and a large bin for dust which allows it to cover a decent amount of space in a single session. It's also a smart cleaner, which means it can map your home, and works with apps such as those provided by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to allow you to control the vacuum with voice commands.
The software that comes with the robot is easy and simple to use and allows you to set schedules, define rooms for cleaning, and pause and resume sessions. It can even notify you the moment its battery is low and then return to its docking station to recharge.
This robot can also distinguish between hard floors and carpets, and adjust its settings according to the type of floor. This will prevent the machine from becoming stuck on a particular type of surface and accidentally tearing your furniture. However, it is not yet able to recognize high pile carpeting or the seams of rooms, so you will still have to be careful about picking up large objects.
All robot vacuums require a level of maintenance, such as removing hair from brushes and emptying (and occasionally rinsing) the bin of dust after each cleaning session. Also, cleaning sensors or cameras between use to keep them in top shape. The manufacturer will provide specific instructions for these and other steps to maintain that may differ based on the particular model.
Cost
The most effective robot vacuums might not be expensive, but they are far cheaper than a professional carpet cleaner or even a stand-up one. They also need less maintenance than traditional vacuums as they require that you empty (and occasionally rinse) their bins after each cleaning session and occasionally cleaning their sensors or cameras.
Many robot vacuums are equipped with clever features that make them more effective for your home, like mapping technology, which allows you to instruct the vacuum on the layout of your room through an app so it doesn't run over the stairs or underneath the furniture where there could be an issue. Other models can determine the floor type they are working on, and they can adjust their suction or brush functions for the most effective results.
Some models feature objects avoidance. It makes use of sensors (or a camera) which can detect toys and other items lying on the floor. The robot is then instructed to stay clear of them instead of running into them. This is a great option for families with pets or children who are prone to leaving toys in the home.
One other smart feature that may be important to you is voice control that lets you control the robot using your voice instead of using the on-board buttons. This is a great option if your children aren't old enough yet to operate the robot or is it just more practical for you.
The frequency at which you use your robot will be contingent on the amount of dirt or debris is accumulating on your floor. Most experts recommend using a robot vacuum several times a week to keep your floors looking good and nabbing pet hair, lint and surface dirt before it gets trapped or become difficult to get rid of.
If you only have only a small amount of floor space and don't plan to utilize the robot for any other purpose such as cleaning, then a budget model, like our top choice Eufy 11S is a great option. It's simple to use, affordable, and does the job without causing any noise while you work or watch television.