How To Save Money On Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is the bane of many lives, but robot vacuums make it easier. Modern models can also mop and even climb (small) steps.
Some have a smaller bin that they empty on their own. Others can be controlled via apps for smartphones instead of a physical remote. Some models have mapping capabilities to help them navigate your home more efficiently.
1. Power
With the suction power of 8,000Pa Our top choice for robot vacuums is powerful enough to handle the worst hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture, such as beds and sofas and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology supports intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near corners and baseboards.
Apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI bot, other top-of-the-line bots on this list include the IRobot Roomba j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automates maintenance. It also has mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping feature, made sure my floors were free of pet hair, muddy prints and other debris on every floor we tested.
In the lower cost range, a model with around 2,500Pa of suction is sufficient for most homes. They are also quieter, which makes them a better option for those with sensitive hearing. These units are not silent but they're not about the same as normal conversations at home.
Take into consideration your budget and cleaning needs to find the perfect combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning it is recommended to have a longer runtime and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Check your flooring, layout of your home, and cleaning schedules before choosing the right model. We suggest looking through our full list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings to get more information on the latest models available. Many users report that their carpets and floor look cleaner after using a robot vacuum.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum cannot accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The best robots use sophisticated navigation technologies to scan rooms and make a map, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three major types of robot navigation: LiDAR-based sensor-based and camera-based.
The most expensive models employ LiDAR to create a digital map of the room, delivering the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which are less accurate and are more likely to miss a lot of debris in dark spaces. The majority of robots have cliff sensors to keep them from falling down stairs or other drops.
Many of the robots I tested employed object recognition to skillfully navigate objects such as fake cords and dog turds but the most effective was the Eufy X10. It had powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets that are hard and soft automatically increasing suction power when needed. Some robots, like the Roborock mop, make use of mopping pad lifts to reach corners and tackle dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solutions to staining that is difficult to remove.
A smaller size of the bin will require less frequent emptying while larger ones can save money on replacements. The cheapest robotic cleaners typically employ a tiny disposable dust bag, but most mid-range models have larger 3L dustbins that can last for decades. Some of the top models, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI station, will automatically empty their trash bins and refill their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
The best robot vacs have an application that lets you track cleaning progress and schedule your sessions and connect to smart home devices to allow hands-free control. Many robot vacuums can also be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have a dedicated remote control that lets you start the process, pause it and then return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that allows them to recognize obstacles, such as the stairs, and also avoid getting into furniture. Certain robovacs permit you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to clean those areas which need the most. They also have a cliff sensor to keep them from falling, which is beneficial in multi-level homes.
If robot vacuums cheap plan to utilize your robot vacuum to clean rugs, opt for one that is capable of both dry mopping as well as wet. You'll be able to get better results from the robot vacuum that can remove its own mop pad, and then rinse and reattach when it's time to do another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a machine with a rubber roller that is less susceptible to tangles due to pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers that is found on smaller models. It's a good idea inspect the robot's brushroll as well as side brushes for debris that has gotten stuck once or twice a week as well. If you notice that they are getting clogged it could be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made, as the name suggests to collect dust and debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand, as well larger pieces such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than manual vacuums.
The top-performing robots across all flooring types had pickup scores over 95 percent. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that do maintenance on their own and features in the app that make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically collect the waste from the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology, and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them navigate through even the most difficult of spaces. The ECOVACS robot is one of the few that can mop carpet and remove the mop pads. This makes it a great choice for users who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming frequently.
If you want a cheaper option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It has LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow when it comes to mapping rooms and has a tendency of bumping against obstacles, but the price is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The top robot vacuums are made to let you get to work while keeping your floors looking spick and span. While you'll still need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and then robot vacuums can help you keep a certain level of tidiness and even clean when you're away.
Look for a robovac with long-lasting batteries to get the most of it. If you use the highest power setting, a model should last two cleaning sessions. This is less than a typical size vacuum cleaner, however it should be enough to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't wish to wait for your robovac to recharge, you can choose one that automatically returns to the base station for charging.
If you're looking for a robot with a bit of everything in it, then think about one that is able to mop. Eufy's X10 is the most effective model in this category and includes self-emptying, self-draining and self-refilling of the dust container, water tank and mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash its mops once they are out.
Its high-quality carpet and hard floor pick up excellent hair pickup, tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores make it the clear winner of our test scores. It's not cheap, however and unless you live in a the smallest of homes with no pets, it could be too pricey for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the runner-up and has a similar performance, but is priced around 25% less.