How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't need the most advanced features such as mapping and do not mind cleaning your trash bin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum is likely to be the best robot vacuum cleaner and mop choice suitable for you. Select a model with an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.

It is a pro at picking up dirt, clumps of cat litter and pet hair on hardwood floors, tile and low-pile carpeting better than any other vacuum we've tested. It can also plan out and create virtual no go zones for rooms or certain areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum is able to stay up with the pet hair, dust and dander that collects on your floors on a daily basis. It can also cut down on the frequency you have to do a deeper clean, saving you time and effort. The best model has powerful suction that is able to clean up most mess and leave your home clean.

You can take care of more space with a robot vacuum and mop, which is especially beneficial if you live in an extensive home. You can find a model that has a water tank in the chassis itself or as an extra piece that you can remove after vacuuming. You'll have to empty it and refill it, though it's an additional task that will require a little extra work on your part.

In a perfect world it would be ideal to clean your floors before using your robot vacuum to stop it from hitting anything. In most homes, however, this is not possible or desirable. Thankfully, most models allow you to use your smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot can see and avoid. Some have no-go zones which can be used to mark areas that you don't want it to enter, such as kids rooms or a stack of cords for your device in the corner.

If you're looking to buy a basic robot vacuum with no bells and bells, this model from networking company TP-Link is a great option. It is quiet, works on both hard floors as well as carpets with low pile and can be programmed using the app to mop and vacuum at your convenience. It's got a long battery life, which can last for up to 180 minutes before needing to recharge.

2. Easy to operate

In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They make use of navigational tools such as sensors cameras, lasers, and sensors to move and collect dust, pet hair and food crumbs from hard floors, tiles and hardwood. Many have boundary strips to allow them to stay within the walls of a room while more expensive models can be set to automatically wake up and start cleaning at a predetermined time. Some models include fall detection technology that helps them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.

If you want to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of your couch, search for models that work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that allow users to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on how large your house is, you may prefer an item with a long battery life and a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptied frequently.

Some robot vacuums double as mops, using water reservoirs to clean your floor. This is ideal for mopping, but not ideal for difficult messes such as pet poop and other wet spills. There are hybrids that come with a removable microfiber pad for mopping, or choose self-emptying models that let you use the device for 30 to 60 days without needing to empty the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots employ advanced mapping technology to create a precise map while they clean. This makes it easier to avoid bumping into furniture or tripping over cords or chair legs. This feature is typically only available on more expensive models, but it's certainly one of the best ways to make sure your robot has a full understanding of the layout of your house and is aware of where to go when it's running out of battery.

If you don't want your robot navigating into areas of your house that you'd prefer to keep it away from (like your children's toys or the mess of device cords in the corner) The majority of robots offer the possibility of creating virtual barriers, either through their apps or physical boundary strips. This lets you block off zones that you don't want your robot venture into, so it can focus its attention on rooms and spaces that need the most cleaning.

A lot of robots that vacuum and mop are able to automatically navigate to different floors depending on the flooring they're cleaning, be it that's switching between hard and carpet or focusing on certain areas of your home, such as corners and baseboards. This feature was helpful during our tests and helped improve the performance of the vacuum on hardwood flooring and carpet flooring with low pile. But, it's still essential to put away furniture and cords before running your robot vacuum so that it doesn't get stuck or come into contact with something it shouldn't.

4. Remote Control

Almost all robot vacuums have WiFi connectivity and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts to allow users to control them with voice commands or via your smartphone. Many robot vacuums are connected to smart home systems, and can create a map of the area they clean after each session. This lets them "learn" the way your home is laid out and plan more efficient routes during future cleaning sessions. There are also built-in obstacles avoidance, which stops them from hitting furniture and robot vacuum causing damage or getting stuck on things like loose charging cables shoes, laces for shoes and hair from pets.

The majority of robots come with a remote control that you can use to navigate them around your house. However, many can be controlled with an app on your mobile that comes with additional options. You can typically set up multiple cleaning schedules, make the list of rooms you like and even manually guide your robot around specific areas by using directions on the screen.

Some models offer no-go zones These are virtual barriers you can create in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog beds and bowls). Other apps let you create the map of your house and provide the robot with precise information about your floors. The Roborock S7+ app has several useful features that will help you clean the house. However the interface isn't as polished as iRobot or Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire house without stopping to recharge or to empty their bins save time and effort. Some robot vacuums work with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to enable hands-free operation. They can also draw an outline of the space that allows you to program them for specific rooms or areas and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums come with some degree of detection of objects and object detection, but more expensive models such as the iRobot J7 have advanced features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that can really simplify your life (although our test bot did "eat" a pair of socks). If you're looking to take your home cleaning to the next level opt for a robotic mop with a water tank that you fill and empty yourself.

While none of the models we tested could match the ability to pick up dirt of a standup vacuum, they did a great job cleaning hard floors as well as carpets with low pile. They excel at sweeping up fine dust and debris, food particles, dirt tracked in and pet hair. They are also able to handle screws and nuts made of metal, as well as the stray cat litter. The top robot vacuums can effortlessly work through furniture, and they excel at cleaning corners and edges as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively basic and affordable model.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

With the proper setup, a robot vacuum can assist you in keeping your home looking and feeling fresh every day with minimal effort. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and you can create no-go zones so that the robot won't get in the way of your favorite chair or plants. The majority of our top picks empty their dustbins and clean their docking station.

The top robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors regularly for months or even weeks at a stretch, freeing you from the tedious chore of manually cleaning your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This allows you to spend more time on things you like and decreases the amount of time that your floors require to be cleaned manually.

In our tests during testing, Q Revo was able to capture fine particles like baking soda and oatmeal. It also snatched up larger particles like nails and screws made of metal, as well as fluffy stuff like pet hair. It isn't equipped with the smart mapping and object-avoiding features of our top picks, but is still a great choice for families with children.

The j7's best feature is its ability to spot and avoid obstacles such as power cords as well as socks and shoes, and pet waste. This means that you don't need to tidy up before using your robot. However, rooms that are cluttered can cause your robot to become stuck and do an inadequate job.