Best Robot Vacuums

The top robot vacuums do an excellent job of removing pet hair and other particles on hard floors and in carpet. However, they leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.

Many models can be controlled with an app for smartphones, but others rely on physical remotes for operation. Some models have advanced features, like LiDAR navigation, for instance, and floor maps that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that avoid obstacles like furniture, walls and cords. They also have technology for object-avoidance to detect toys, pet food and other debris that could get in the machine's way or get caught by the suction blades. These features will save you time by stopping your robot from becoming trapped under the sofa or behind the bed.

Some of the more advanced robots, like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ utilize lasers and cameras to create the map of your home. This lets them navigate more precisely and precisely. They also can detect changes to your living space, such as when you move an item of furniture. This isn't something that every robot is equipped with, but it can be a significant improvement in the performance and ease of your new device.

Many of the cheaper models rely on simple sensors to guide them around your home. They are useful in many scenarios, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamp cords or shoes. They are also less expensive and do not have the ability to recognize when they miss an obstacle. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items out.

Even the Best Buy Robot Vacuum robot vacuums can get stuck on larger objects like chair legs or dog poop messes. If the object is too large the robot may not be capable of lifting it, and will be forced to push it to the edges of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If it's a cat or dog it is possible to block their path with the use of a box, piece of furniture, or even a virtual barrier (which some robots allow to set up in the application).

The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list use object detection that works in low and optimal light conditions to detect what's in the vicinity of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI, and OMNI robots. This technology can identify more than 30 types of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Bases

A self-emptying base can be beneficial, especially if you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty the dust bin of your robot vacuum at the end of every cleaning session. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days worth of trash. They must be emptying less often than the dustbin of the robot.

This feature is available on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+, i7+, Shark's AI bagless robot vacuum, the Roborock S8, among others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it's included in the robot.

Self-emptying bases will not only save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also help keep your home clean. Certain bases have separate filters to capture allergens. They might need to be cleaned frequently, based on the manufacturer. To ensure that your base is operating at its best, you should always use the filters and accessories suggested by the manufacturer.

Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of suction power a robot can draw from. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies follow, some offer Pascal (Pa) levels to give you an idea of the machine's performance. In general the more powerful the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.

A quality robot should have features that are easy to use and a user's guide that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual can help you learn about the basics and troubleshoot problems that arise, which is essential because these machines aren't cheap. You should look for a thorough manual that explains how to set up as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques. You should be able when using an app on your mobile, to control the robot to look up the available settings. You can set them up by rooms, zones or even individual floors. Certain apps allow you to schedule specific cleaning sessions and even voice-command the machine. Some of the most popular brands allow you to set virtual no-go zones and make customized cleaning plans. The best robots will allow you to save a cleaning schedule and come back to it at any point. Then, if you forget to finish the task, the robot will resume where it left off.

Long-Lasting Batteries

While robot vacuums don't have the same power as the full-sized corded upright and cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. This is why the top robot vacuums run for hours on a single charge. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their base, without you needing to join them. In our tests, we discovered that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for the majority of homes and gives you enough time to thoroughly clean your entire home in one step.

The average dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be empty every couple of cleanings. This can be a difficult task, especially if have a large home or a lot of pet hair on your floors. A self-emptying robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuum can save you a lot of stress. This feature allows the machine to empty its own dustbin and wash and blow dries its filter after each use, so it's ready for the next session of vacuuming.

Most robot vacuums have an ejector or built-in water tank which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly beneficial for floors that are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need some extra attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these mopping machines generally don't have the level of suction that a traditional vacuum does and tend to struggle with spills of liquid.

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 have excellent performance and offer excellent value. They all have a high suction level and come with a huge, self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation of our top two robots, however, so they may not be able to take on your entire home in one charge.

Eufy 11S is another option for a hands free mopping robot. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an integrated or removable reservoir for water, however, it does come with an excellent suction level (2,500 Pascals (or Pa) and can be utilized to sweep, mop and spot clean your floors. The 11S can't vacuum furniture or stairs, but it's still a great choice for keeping your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming by hand.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they require some daily maintenance. Certain models require less effort than others. Select a model with a self-emptying bottom to reduce the number of times you'll need to empty the bin manually during cleaning sessions. This feature is especially helpful when you have pets that shed a lot or if you are prone to forgetting to mop and sweep.

In addition to basic features such as suction and a rotating brush, the majority of our top picks also have extras that help reduce cleaning time even more. Consider a multisurface cleaner that has a removable mopping mat that's easy to attach and remains in position, or a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to identify dirt areas around your home so it can clean them thoroughly.

Certain models let you set a schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned and use smart home voice assistants that control the vacuum with your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles but you'll have to pay for these premium features.

You can find robot vacuums to fit any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro which works on wood floors only to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like most things when you're looking for more features, it will cost more however, there are options for everyone's budget.

If you're looking for a basic bump-androll vac or one with smart mapping that can clean your washboard while you're on vacation, we've got the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around toys and furniture without getting stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smartphone to schedule cleanings and remotely control the vac.

For more information on how to choose the best robot vacuum Bot, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic mops, as well as our buying guide for the best robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacs. Don't forget to check out our recommended shipping dates so that your holiday delivery is on time.