How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum

If you don't need advanced features like mapping and you do not mind cleaning your trash bin every 60 to 90 days A basic robot vacuum is likely to be the best choice suitable for you. Pick a model that has a clean base that works with voice assistants.

It is a pro at picking up dirt, pet hair and cat litter on tile floors, hardwood floors and low-pile carpeting better than any other robo vacuum we've tried. It also has the ability to map out and set virtual no-go zones for rooms or specific areas.

1. Powerful Suction

A robot vacuum can keep up with the dust, pet hair and dander that accumulates on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, which will save your time and effort. The most effective model comes with powerful suction that is able to clean up most mess and leave your home clean.

Selecting a vacuum that is also able to mop can help you get more space with one machine, which is especially beneficial in a larger home. There are models with a tank for water either built into the chassis or as an extra piece that you can take out after vacuuming. It will need to be emptied and refilled and refilled, which is an additional task.

In a perfect world it would be ideal to clean your floors before you use your robot vacuum, preventing it from hitting anything. In the majority of homes it's not feasible or desirable. Thankfully, many models allow you to use your smartphone app to set up virtual barriers that the robot is able to be aware of and avoid. Some include no-go zones, which you can use to mark areas that you don't want it enter, such as kids' rooms or a pile of cords for your device in the corner.

This model is a good option for those looking for a simple robot cleaner without all the bells and whistles. It's quiet, it is able to work on hard floors as well as low-pile carpets and can be programmed via the app to mop and vacuum at your own convenience. It has a long battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.

2. Easy to operate

Robot vacuums generally need only minimal effort from you. They use navigational tools such as sensors cameras, lasers, and sensors to maneuver and collect dust, pet hair and food crumbs off hard floors, tiles and hardwood. A lot of them have boundary strips that help them stay within the walls of a room while pricier models can be set to automatically wake up and start cleaning at a predetermined time. Some models include fall detection technology to help users avoid falling down the stairs or getting caught in cords.

Look for models that allow you to control from the comfort of your sofa using voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also choose Wi-Fi models that permit you to begin a cleaning session anywhere using an app. You may prefer a model that has a long-lasting battery, as well as an enormous dust bin, based on the size of your home.

Some robot vacuums can also be mops. They utilize water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is great for everyday mopping, but will not work for tough messes like pet poop or other spills that are wet. You can pick hybrids that have an adjustable microfiber mopping pad or a self-emptying model that allows you to go for up to 60 days before emptying the base.

3. Smart Mapping

Some robots use advanced mapping technology to build a detailed map while they clean. This makes it easier to avoid hitting furniture or tripping over cords or chairs. This feature is only available on top-of-the-line models however, it allows your robot to be aware of the layout of your home and to know where it should move when the battery runs out.

Most robots let you create virtual barriers. This can be done through an app or physical boundary strips. This lets you block off zones that you do not want your robot to venture into, so it can concentrate its attention on the areas and rooms that require the most attention.

Many robots can also automatically navigate to different floorings based on the type of surface they're cleaning, whether they're switching between carpet and hard flooring or focusing on certain areas of your home, such as corners and baseboards. This feature proved to be effective during our tests and helped improve the performance of the vacuum on hardwood flooring and low-pile floor carpeting. However, it's still important to put away furniture and cords that are loose prior to using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get stuck or come into contact with something it shouldn't.

4. Remote Control

The majority of robot vacuums have WiFi connectivity and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts that enable you to control them via voice commands or from your smartphone. Many connect to smart home systems and build an outline of your space after each cleaning session, so they can "learn" your layout and design more efficient routes for future runs. Some also have built-in obstacle avoidance that stops them from bumping into and damaging furniture or getting stuck on things like charging cables that are loose shoes, laces for shoes and pet hair.

Most robots come with a remote you can use to pilot them around your home. Most robots can be controlled via a mobile application that comes with more features. You can typically set multiple cleaning schedules, make a list of favorite rooms and even manually guide your robot to certain areas by using directions on the screen.

Some models provide no-go zones that are virtual barriers you can configure in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for kids or dog bowls and beds). Some apps let you draw a map of your house and provide more detailed information about the floors. The app on our top choice Roborock S7+, the Roborock S7+, has many useful options to help you tidy your home, but its interface isn't as polished and elegant as those from iRobot and Shark.

5. Long Battery Life

Robot vacs that can work a whole house without stopping to recharge or best robot vacuum cleaner for pet hair empty their dust bins can save you time and energy. Some robot vacuums work with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to enable hands-free operation. They can also build an outline of your living space that allows you to program them to clean certain areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.

The majority of robot vacuums detect objects, but the iRobot j7 offers advanced features like "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can make your life much easier (although one of our test robots did "eat" a couple of socks). If you're looking to improve the quality of your home maintenance, you should consider an automated mop that comes with water containers that you can fill and empty.

While none of the models we tested could match the ability to pick up dirt of a standup vacuum, they did an excellent job cleaning hard floors and carpets with low pile. They are great in sweeping up dust and debris, food dust, tracked-in dirt, and pet hair. They can even tackle some scattered cat litter, as well as metal screws and nuts. The top robot vacuums are able to remove dirt from edges and corners and can even work on furniture. For a basic model that functions by itself and is comparatively inexpensive, check out the Eufy 11S.

6. Convenient Self-Charging

A robot vacuum will help keep your home clean and tidy without having to do many tasks. You can schedule cleanings through the app, and you can designate no-go areas so that the robot won't step on your favorite chair or plants. A majority of our top picks automatically empty their dustbins and best Robot vacuum cleaner for Pet Hair clean their docking stations for you.

The best Robot vacuum cleaner for pet Hair robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for weeks or even months at a time, removing you from the time-consuming task of manually sweeping and mopping your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This lets you take more time doing the things you enjoy and reduces the amount of time required to clean your floors manually.

During testing, the Q Revo was able to grab fine particles like oatmeal and baking soda, heavier debris such as nails and screws made of steel as well as fluffy things like pet hair. It lacks the advanced mapping and object-avoiding features found in our top picks, but it is still a good choice for families with children.

The most impressive feature of the j7 is its ability to recognize and avoid obstacles like power cords and socks, shoes and pet waste. This means that you don't need to clean up before you can run your robot vacuum deals, although cluttered rooms will mean that the robot may become stuck and not perform as good a job.