What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum will help keep you on top of pet hair and lint on regular basis. Many work with apps to allow you to schedule cleaning sessions and set virtual boundaries or 'walls' to keep them out of areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This smart vac-mop will create the map of your home using its first run. It then remembers the area to be used for cleaning tasks in the future. It has a self-cleaning brush roll and an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.

Object Detection

When selecting a robot vacuum cleaner, pick one that is able to pick up large items like lamp cords and toys as well as dust particles that are fine. This will ensure they don't get snarled by the roller brush and aren't left on your floors. This feature is particularly important for those who have pets or children and you may have to clean the robot on a regular basis.

A model that has an efficient engine and plenty of suction is also an ideal option. This will allow it to be more efficient in eliminating pet hair, dust and lint off carpets and hardwood floors.

The size of your home is another crucial factor to consider. If you live in a big home, you might choose one with multiple cleaning zones that can cover the entire home in a single session. Certain models also include mopping functions, which can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.

best robot vacuum for mopping vacuums can last for a long time however, they must be maintained and cleaned regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes regularly, emptying your dust bin, and wiping the sensors will ensure that your best cheap robot vacuum is running smoothly for a long time. Many owners of robot vacuums that we have spoken with have owned the same machine for 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries in the process).

A basic robot is less expensive than a full size vacuum cleaner. They'll perform a great job of cleaning dirt from surfaces as well as pet fur and lint. They're an excellent maintenance cleaner that you can use often throughout the week to keep your floor clean. They do not have as much technology and are more prone to becoming jammed or requiring manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The top best robot vacuum mop for hardwood floors vacuums make use of sensors, cameras or lasers to help you navigate your home, avoiding getting stuck or falling on the stairs. They are also able to avoid obstacles such as furniture legs and cords, and some models will automatically return to their dock or base when they run low on energy. Some of the most expensive models come with mapping capabilities that allow them to memorize your home's layout and therefore spend less time bumping against walls.

You don't need to spend an enormous amount of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. You can still find models that do a great job of picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces, such as wood, tile and low-pile rug. They also be capable of removing larger debris such as metal screws, rusty staples or discarded toys. Some have a base that automatically empties itself, which is great for those who don't want to empty it after each cleaning session.

Some robotic vacuums have clever features that make the traditional stick vacuum look quaint. They include schedules, zone-targeting, and the capability to control them via an app or a voice assistants, such as Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and 'virtual walls to block off areas where you don't want the robot to enter.

Some robotic vacuums, like the Eufy 11S or my former top pick, Roborock S8, come equipped with obstacle avoidance technology to keep them from tripping over cords or furniture. Others, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more advanced AI obstacle avoidance that uses sensors powered by processors to see and avoid items like shoes, lamp cords, socks and pet waste. It's more expensive than the other bots I've tested but it did an impressive job of avoiding obstacles around my home and rarely got derailed or trapped when I was working on my floors.

Although the iRobot J7+ was a good obstacle avoidance bot but it wasn't always able to do well in removing dirt and crumbs from my carpets. It also tended to over-vacuum some areas, which led to lots of dust in the filter, and a less-clean house.

Smart Mapping

A few of the top robot vacuums come with an app that can help you to customize cleaning settings set schedules, and view the flooring area that the machine covers. This is a handy feature, and one that a few competitors do not have. This allows you to create profiles that automatically start the robot at specific times, and keep it running regularly. For instance, you could clean the living room every morning or prior to dinner.

A good app will allow you to control your robot via voice commands. Some models are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control your robot with voice commands.

For a truly hands-free experience, choose an option with a big dust bin that can hold many cleaning sessions before needing to be empty. There are models that self-empty that take some of the work out of emptying the robot after each run of vacuuming.

If you're looking for a machine that is more than just vacuum, you'll want to look into the possibility of a model that can mop floors. These are usually bigger than robotic vacuums and come with an internal water tank that holds multiple cleaning sessions worth of dirt and other debris prior to needing to be cleaned.

Robots that are more advanced can develop their own maps and keep track of the layout of your home from one cleaning session to the next, which prevents them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a significant difference in the speed at which your robot vacuums because it won't be spending time returning to the beginning of the room whenever it comes across walls or furniture.

Our test participants found that the robots that had this feature were extremely efficient. They could sit and watch television or perform other tasks while the best robot floor scrubber cleaned. Some models employ laser navigation and can create an exact map of your home, meaning you can program them to clean only the bedroom after dinner or each room of the house when you're at work.

App Control

It is recommended to select the vacuum that comes with an app that is mobile for those who want to modify the frequency of cleaning and choose the cleaning mode. Within the app, you can check the status of your vacuum and its dust bin. Some of the top robotic hoovers vacuums can be controlled by Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

It is easy to maintain a robot with a washable filter and a self-emptying bin, particularly when the filter is easily removed and rinsed. A high-powered brush is another great feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of hair and dirt. Certain robots are better at avoiding chair leg than others. Others come with an automatic cleaning system that cleans brushes to avoid clogging.

Certain robo-vacs come with navigational tools that assist them in navigating around obstacles and to learn about your home. High-end models have sensors and cameras that can detect obstacles like stairs, furniture and cords, while cheaper models may use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark areas where you don't want it to enter. Avoidance of objects can be particularly useful for families with young children who scatter toys and socks all over the house. This can help your robot to gather the items instead of scattering.

More robots are coming with mops. This is beneficial for those with hard floors who need to mop regularly. These robots come with water tanks built into the chassis or an extra piece which you can change out when it's time to clean. They may need to be filled more frequently than other kinds of robots, however they're great for homes with hard floors that can't be easily cleaned by vacuum.

We've seen some incredible technology incorporated into these tiny robots, and they're a lot less expensive than you might expect. In fact, you can find a good one for under $200 that does a good job of getting rid of pet hair and crumbs from hard floors, and also moving around the edges of light carpets or area carpets. You can schedule the robot to vacuum rooms every day and it can be controlled remotely using the app or by pressing buttons on its side.