10 Best Mobile Apps For Robot Vacuum

The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming less painful. Today's models also mop and climb (small) steps.

Some have a smaller bin which they empty themselves. Others can be controlled by an app on your smartphone instead of an actual remote. Some have mapping features that aid in navigation.

1. Power

Our top choice for robot vacuums comes with a suction force of 8,000Pa, which is powerful enough to remove even the most stubborn hairs and dirt. Its ultra-thin square shape allows it to slide beneath furniture like beds and sofas. Dual-Laser LIDAR technology provides precise obstacle avoidance as well as intelligent navigation. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other messes around corners and baseboards.

Other high-powered robots on this list, in addition to the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba J7+ aswell as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has docking station that automatically handles maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction and efficient mopping helped keep my floors clear of pet hair, muddy paw prints, and other debris in every floor type test that we conducted.

In the lower cost range, a model that has 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for the majority of homes. These models are quieter, and, therefore, a better choice for those with sensitive ears. They're still not silent, but they're only the same volume as normal conversations at home.

Consider your budget and cleaning requirements to determine the best combination of power and usability. For frequent light-duty cleaning, a longer runtime with a lower suction is required. Weekly heavy-duty cleaning requires the most power. Assess your flooring, layout of your home and cleaning schedules prior to selecting the best model. Take a look at our comprehensive list of robot vacuum ratings and reviews for more information about the latest models. Many users report having their carpets and floors appear cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum to their home.

2. Navigation

A robot vacuum can't do its job effectively when it doesn't know how to navigate your home. This is why the most effective robots depend on advanced navigation technology that effectively scans rooms and then creates maps to ensure thorough cleaning without being lost or hitting obstacles. There are three types of robot navigation that include LiDAR, camera and sensor.

The most expensive models use LiDAR to create a digital map of the room. This model offers the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency. Less expensive models depend on bump sensors which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots also feature cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or other falls.

Several robots in my tests employed object recognition to skillfully navigate things like fake cords and dog turds, but the best was the Eufy X10. It had superb mapping capabilities with powerful oscillating mops, an easy-to-use app, and the ability to clean by area, room or the whole house.

Other features worth a look include sensors for floors that can recognize carpets with soft and hard floors, automatically boosting suction power when required. Some robots, such as the Roborock mop use a mopping pad that lifts to reach into corners and clean up dried spills. Many hybrids can apply cleaning solution on the most difficult stains.

A smaller dustbin will require less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The majority of low-cost robotic cleaners utilize the smallest disposable dust bag. However, most mid-range models come with larger dustbins of 3L that last for a long period of time. Some premium robots like the ECOVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station can self-empty and fill up their water tanks for hands-free convenience.

3. App control

The majority of robot vacuums come with an app that can monitor the progress of cleaning robot mop and vacuum, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for control via voice. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Look for a model with a bigger dustbin that can self-empty, as opposed to one that requires manual emptying.

Some robovacs have mapping technology to help them avoid obstacles like stairs and furniture. Some robovacs allow you to create no-go zones as well as specific rooms to ensure that they only clean the areas that require it the most. They also have cliff sensors to stop them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes.

If you intend to utilize your robot vacuum for cleaning rug carpets, you should choose a model which can be used both for dry and wet mopping. You'll get better results with an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad, too, which you can then rinse and reconnect when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also, look for a model that has a rubber roll that is less prone to knots caused by pet hair and other debris than bristle rollers, as found on some less expensive models. Check the robot's side brush and brushroll for any debris that has become stuck on. Make sure to do this at least twice a week. If you notice they are getting clogged it could be time to buy replacement parts.

4. Collection of debris

Like the name suggests robot vacuums are created to collect dust and other debris from your floors. The best robot vacuum cleaner and mop ones pick fine particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger pieces like metal screws, orzo pasta and pet hair. They also get better pickup results on carpets with low piles than the majority of manual vacuums.

Across all flooring types, the top performing robots had pick-up scores of over 95 95%. The two top performers in this category were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI, and the Roborock Q Revo. Both are highly automated with robust docking stations that do maintenance on their own. They also have apps that make them incredibly user-friendly.

They both have self-emptying bins that automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while you mow. They also come with an 8,000Pa vacuum, intelligent mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance technology to help them navigate through the most difficult areas. The ECOVACS model is also one of the few robots we tested that could remove its mop pads and vacuum carpet which makes it the best choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, take a look at the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus, our budget pick. It features LIDAR navigation and decent performance in the field of debris pickup for the price. It is slow in mapping rooms and is prone to hitting obstacles, but it is lower than the other choices.

5. Battery life

The most effective robot vacuums are made to let you move on with your life while keeping your floors in tip-top clean. Although you'll need to give your home a manual sweeping every now and again Robotic vacuums can help maintain a standard of tidiness and even clean while you're away from home.

To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, make sure you choose the model that has a high battery life. A good guideline is to expect a robovac to last for around two cleaning sessions if you use it on the highest power setting. This is less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to cover most homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac is charging, you can also choose an automatic vacuum and mop robot model that makes its return to the base station to recharge.

If you're looking to buy a robovac that has a little bit of everything in it, then think about a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category has self-emptying and self-refilling for the dust bin as well as the water tank and mop pad. It is also programmable to automatically refill and wash its own mops when they're empty.

Its respectable carpet and hard floor pick-up, great hair pickup and tangle avoidance, and close to perfect auto empty scores makes 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 might be too expensive for some. The Dreametech D10+ is the second-placed model and offers the same performance, but it costs 25% less.