How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you don't require advanced features like mapping and you do not mind cleaning your trash bin every 60 to 90 days A basic robot vacuum could be the best choice for you. Look for an option with a clean base and works with voice assistants.
It is the most effective robo-vacuum we have tested for cleaning up pet hair on tile floors, hardwood floors and carpets with low pile. It also maps and create virtual no-go zones for rooms and areas.
1. Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum can assist you in keeping up with the dust, pet fur and dander that collects on your floors every day. It also can reduce the frequency you have to deep clean and saves your time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that can tackle most messes and leave your home cleaner.
Choosing a robot vacuum that also mop can help you achieve more coverage using one machine, which is especially beneficial in larger homes. There are models with a tank for water either built into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can remove after vacuuming. You'll need to empty and refill it, though it's an additional chore that requires some extra effort on your part.
In a perfect world, you'd be able to clean your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to keep it from running into things. In most homes, however this isn't possible or desirable. The majority of models let you use an app on your smartphone to create virtual barriers that the robot can see. Some models have no-go zones that you can mark areas you don't want the robot to enter. For instance, a child's room or a pile cords in an area.
If you're looking for a basic robot vacuum that doesn't have all the bells and whistles, this model from the networking company TP-Link is a great option. It is quiet, is able to work on hard floors as well as low-pile carpets and can be programmed via the app to vacuum and mop at your leisure. It comes with a battery life of around 180 minutes.
2. Easy to operate
In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors and lasers to navigate through obstacles and collect dust, food crumbs and pet hair from floors, tiles carpets, and hardwood. A lot of them have boundary strips that help them stay within the walls of a room while more expensive models can be programmed to automatically wake up and start cleaning at a set time. Some even have fall-detection technology that can help them avoid falling down stairs or becoming caught in electrical cords.
If you'd like to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of a couch, you should look for models that work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also choose Wi-Fi models that allow you to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on how big your house is, you may want a model with a long-lasting battery and a roomy dustbin that doesn't require being emptying frequently.
Certain robot vacuums are also mopping machines. They make use of water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is helpful for regular mopping but won't work for extra-tough messes, like pet poop, or other spills that get wet. You can pick hybrids with an adjustable microfiber mopping pad or a self-emptying option that lets you go for up to 60 days before emptying the base.
3. Smart Mapping
Certain robots employ advanced mapping technologies to build a detailed map of your floorplan while they clean and tidy, allowing them to avoid bumping mindlessly into furniture or tripping over things like chair legs or cords. This feature is only available on higher-end models however it lets your robot have a thorough understanding of your home's layout and know where to go when the battery runs out.
The majority of robots allow you to create virtual barriers. This can be done through an app or physical boundary strips. This allows you to block off zones that you don't want your robot to venture into, so it can focus its attention on areas and rooms that require the most cleaning.
A lot of robots can also automatically change floors based on the floor they are cleaning. This can be accomplished by changing from carpet to hard flooring, or by focussing on particular areas of your home like corners and baseboards. In our tests it was a great feature that improved their performance in picking up carpeting made of low-pile or hardwood. But, it's still essential to tuck away loose cords and furniture before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get stuck or come into contact with something it shouldn't.
4. Remote Control
Most robot vacuums come with WiFi capabilities and can be controlled via voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many robot vacuums connect to smart home systems and generate a map of the area they clean after each session. This allows them to "learn" the way your home is laid out and to plan more efficient routes in future cleaning sessions. neato robot vacuum have built-in obstacle avoidance, which stops them from bumping into furniture and damaging it or getting stuck on things like loose charging cables, shoe laces and pet hair.
The majority of robots come with a remote control that can be used to guide them around your home. However, many can be controlled using an app for mobile devices that comes with additional options. It is possible to set multiple cleaning schedules, make the list of rooms you like and even manually guide your robot around specific areas using directions on the screen.
Some models provide no-go zones These are virtual barriers you can set up in the app to stop the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog bowls and beds). Some apps let you draw an image of your home and provide more detailed information about the floors. The app on our top pick, the Roborock S7+, has many useful options to help you clean your home, however its interface isn't as polished as the ones from iRobot and Shark.
5. Long Battery Life
Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire home without stopping to recharge or to empty their bins save time and effort. Some robot vacuums work with smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also draw an outline of the space to allow you to program them for certain areas or rooms, and to avoid obstacles.
The majority of robot vacuums can detect objects, however the iRobot j7 offers advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can make your life much easier (although one of our test robots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you're trying to improve your home maintenance, consider the use of a robot mop and a water container that can be filled and then empty.
While no of the models we tested could compete with the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum, they did a great job cleaning hard floors as well as low pile carpets. They excel at picking up fine dirt, food crumbs, and tracked-in dirt. They are also able to tackle pet litter that is stray and metal screws and nuts. The top robot vacuums can easily work their way through furniture, and they do a great job of cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively affordable and basic model.
6. Convenient Self-Charging
A robot vacuum can keep your home clean and tidy without having to do many tasks. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and create no-go zones to ensure that your robot does not step on your plants or favorite chair. Many of our top picks automatically empty their bins and clean their docking stations for you.
The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for weeks or even months at a time, removing you from the tedious chore of manually sweeping and mopping your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This allows you to enjoy more time doing things you like and reduces the time needed to clean your floors manually.
During testing the Q Revo was able to grab small particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also grabbed larger particles like nails and screws made of metal, as well as fluffy hair. It's not equipped with the advanced mapping and object avoidance features of our top picks, however it's sufficient for most families.
The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords and socks, shoes, and pet waste. robot vacuum deals means that you don't need to spend time tidying up before you can run your robot, although cluttered rooms will mean that your bot may get stuck and not do as well.