The Best Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will do the majority of the cleaning for you. It will take pet hair, lint and dirt from surfaces and furniture before they can become stuck. Some also integrate with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience.
Many models have the ability to map, allowing them to create an interactive map of your home. This helps them to avoid falling off ledges or navigating around clusters if device cords.
What to Look for
Some robots come with advanced features that allow you to control them via apps and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Smart mapping, zone cleaning and object avoidance are some of the features. These machines may also come with larger dust bins and longer-lasting batteries.
Select a model with a wide brush to sweep up large debris, and is thin enough to be able to fit under furniture. Also, check if the vacuum is able to move across different kinds of floors without having to swap out brushes or alter suction settings, which could decrease the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce its lifespan.
The best robot vacuums have high-quality filters that sift out fine particles to protect the inside of your home and a large, accessible collection bin that allows you to empty it often. Some robot vacuums come with an additional side brush that can sweep up pet hair or debris in difficult to reach areas like under or behind furniture. They also usually have a clear dustbin door which allows you to keep an eye on the amount of dirt accumulation so you can tell when it's time to empty the.
You can also use the app to set the boundaries of furniture and rooms you don't want it to enter. Some models can also detect the kind of flooring and alter their brush and vacuum settings accordingly.
There are robots that recharge and continue cleaning where they left off when their battery runs out. And some have a built-in camera that allows you to track the route of your robot vacuum and view what it's taken in.
Some robots are controlled via voice commands however, not all. Make sure that the model you choose is compatible with the voice assistant of your preference, and then test how it responds to various commands during the purchase process. Some robots even empty their trash bins or clean their docking station, which will reduce your chore list. However, this feature comes at cost, as do the capacity of the bin and a faster charging speed.
Cleaning Performance
Robots are not a replacement for a vacuum or broom. However they can be extremely efficient and effective in keeping your floors clean. If you're looking to keep track of dust, crumbs and pet hair or nab bigger debris like wood shavings and metal screws, most top-rated robotic cleaners are capable of picking up a variety of materials on the first go-around and doing so without damaging your floor surfaces or furniture.
They usually detect the type of surface that they are cleaning and adjust their suction/brush settings accordingly to clean your floors more thoroughly. This is especially important when your home is made up of different kinds of flooring. Many models come with the option of setting up virtual boundaries. This lets you instruct your robot to stay out of certain areas of your home. This can help to keep your pets and children from getting into areas they shouldn't. It will also ensure that your house is cleaned during every scheduled session.
You should also consider the amount of autonomy you're comfortable giving your robot. Certain models require you to be active and attentive, while others can work independently. They can alter cleaning methods and schedules using a mobile application or voice commands with an integrated smart assistant. Some models can map and understand your home, allowing you to set up zones and tell the robot to clean certain areas of your home on a daily or weekly basis.
In our tests, the iRobot J7+ proved to be the top robot for "set it and leave it". It was a master at mapping, creating virtual boundaries and eliminating obstacles better than the other robots we tested. Plus, it can empty itself completely best robot vacuum for carpet so you don't have to do that manually and has side brushes that help sweep debris out of corners and edges where it is difficult to reach.
Its slim design and infrared sensor enable it to clean behind and under furniture which allows it to do a better job than most robots. Furthermore, its advanced navigation system lets it to sweep the entire floor of your house on a single battery charge. Even at its affordable price you'll find it hard to beat for daily use.
Battery Life
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors feel less of a chore, and more like a treat. Fastly removing dirt, crumbs, and shed pet hair can make a huge difference in how clean your home is on a daily basis. While a simple robot is able to handle the majority of cleaning tasks, those looking for an extra hands-free experience should consider a model that doubles as a mop.
The Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI is among the top models for both as it offers great performance in both vacuuming and mop modes and is able to easily deal with dirt debris, pet hair and even cat litter. The feature to avoid objects is particularly impressive, allowing it to steer clear of objects and avoid getting stuck on them.
It has a large dustbin and an extremely long-lasting battery, which means it can cover a significant amount of space in just one go. It's also a smart cleaner, which means that it can be able to map your home and works with apps such as the ones offered by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to let you control the vacuum using voice commands.
The application that comes with the robot is easy and easy to use, allowing you to set schedules, assign rooms for cleaning, or stop and resume sessions. It will alert you when its battery is running low and will return to the docking station for recharging.
This robot can also distinguish between hard floors and carpets and adjust its settings according to the type of floor. This helps to prevent the machine from becoming stuck on a particular type of surface and then accidentally tearing furniture. However, it isn't yet able to detect high pile carpeting or seams in rooms, so you will still need to be vigilant when picking up large objects.
To ensure that robot vacuums are in good condition they require regular maintenance. This includes cleaning brushes of hair and emptying the trash bin (and sometimes washing it) after each cleaning session. Cameras and sensors must also be cleaned between uses. The manufacturer will provide specific instructions for these and other maintenance steps that may differ based on the particular model.
Cost
The most effective robot vacuums might not be expensive, but they are far cheaper than professional carpet cleaning machines or even a stand-up vacuum. They require less maintenance than traditional vacuums as they require that you empty and sometimes rinse their dust bins after every cleaning session.
Many robot vacuums have clever features that make them more effective for your home, like mapping technology which lets you instruct the vacuum to follow the layout of your home through an app so it doesn't run into the stairs or under the furniture, where there might be an issue. Other robot vacuums are able to detect the kind of floor they are cleaning so they can adjust their suction and brush functions to ensure the best results.
Some models feature objects avoidance. It makes use of sensors (or a camera) that detect toys and other objects lying on the floor. The robot is instructed to avoid them, instead of running into them. This is a great benefit if you have kids or pets that tend to throw toys around the home.
Voice control is another smart feature you might consider useful. It allows you to operate your robot with your voice, instead of the buttons on the board. This is a great option for children who aren't quite old enough to use the controls or are looking for a hands-free option.
How often you have to use your robot will depend on the amount of dirt and dust is normally found on your floors. Most experts recommend using your robot vacuum at least once a week to keep your floors spotless and remove pet hair, lint, and dirt on the surface.
If you're limited with floor surfaces and don't plan to utilize your robot for other tasks, a low-cost model such as our top pick the Eufy 11S, is a good choice. It's affordable, easy to set up and use, and can complete the task with little noise interference while you watch TV or work.