How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you're able to live without advanced features such as mapping, and don't mind cleaning the trash bin every 60 days or then, a basic robot vacuum is likely to work for you. Choose a model with a clean base and is compatible with voice assistants.
It is the most effective robo-vacuum we have tested for cleaning up pet hair on hardwood floors, tile, and carpeting with low pile. It can also plan out and set virtual no go zones for rooms or areas.
1. Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum will stay clean of the pet hair, dust and dander that accumulates on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It can also cut down on the frequency you have to clean your floors, saving your time and effort. The most effective models feature powerful suction that can tackle most messes with ease and leave your home clean.
Choosing a robot vacuum that can also mop can help you cover more ground using one machine, which can be particularly beneficial for homes with a large area. You can find a model that has a water tank built into the chassis or as an additional piece that you can remove after vacuuming. It will need to be empty and fill it up, however, so this is an additional task that requires a little extra work on your part.
In the ideal world, you'd clear your floors prior to using your robot vac to keep it from running into things. But in most homes, this isn't feasible or desirable. The majority of models let you make use of an app that you can install on your phone to create virtual barriers the robot can detect. Some models have no-go zones which you can use to flag areas you don't want it to enter, such as kids' rooms or a pile of cords for your device in the corner.
This model is a great choice if you want a basic robot cleaner that does not have all the bells. It's quiet, and it works on hard floors and low-pile rugs and can be scheduled through the app to mop or 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 require very little from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors and lasers to navigate around obstacles and suck up food particles, dust and pet hair from hard floors, tiles carpets, and hardwood. Many models come with boundaries strips that help them remain inside the room. Higher-end models can be programmed to wake up at a specific time and start cleaning. Certain models come with fall detection technology that helps them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.
Look for models that can be controlled from the comfort of your sofa using voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also pick Wi-Fi models that permit you to begin cleaning from anywhere with an app. You might want to choose an option with an extremely long-lasting battery as well as a large dust bin, depending on the size of your home.
Some robot vacuums can also be mopping. They make use of water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is great for everyday mopping, but will not work for extra-tough messes, like pet poop, or other wet spills. You can pick hybrids with an able mopping pad made of microfiber or a self-emptying option that allows you to stay for up to 60 days before emptying the base.
3. Smart Mapping
Certain robots utilize advanced mapping technology to build a detailed map as they clean. This makes it easier to avoid bumping into furniture and tripping on cords or chairs. This feature is only available on higher-end models however it lets your robot be aware of the layout of your home and know where to go when the battery runs out.
Most robots let you create virtual barriers. This can be done via an app or physical boundary strips. You can block off areas that you don't wish your robot to enter to allow it to concentrate on the rooms that need the most attention.
Many robots will also automatically change floors depending on the type of flooring they are cleaning. This can be achieved by changing from carpet to hard flooring, or by focusing on specific areas of your house, such as corners and baseboards. In our tests it was a great feature that helped improve their performance in picking up hardwood and low-pile carpeting. However, it's still important to secure loose cords and furniture before using your robot vacuum to ensure that it doesn't get caught or run into something it shouldn't.
4. Remote Control
Most robot vacuums have WiFi capabilities and can be controlled with voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many connect to smart home systems that create a map of your space after each cleaning session, so they can "learn" your layout and design more efficient routes for future trips. Certain models have obstacle avoidance built in, which prevents them from causing damage to furniture or getting stuck on things such as loose charging cables or pet hair.
Most robots have the ability to control them with a remote that you can use to move them around your house. Most robots can be controlled by a mobile app that comes with more features. You can create multiple cleaning schedules and create an inventory of your preferred rooms. You can also manually guide the robot by using direction arrows.
Certain models have no-go zones These are virtual barriers that you can set up within the app to prevent the robot from entering certain areas (like toys for children or dog beds and bowls). Some apps allow you to draw an image of your home and provide detailed information on the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has several useful features that can aid in cleaning 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 for a recharge or emptying their trash bins save time and effort. Certain robot vacuums can work with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to enable hands-free operation. They can also create maps of the area to allow you to program them to specific areas or rooms, and to stay clear of obstacles.
The majority of robot vacuums detect objects, however the iRobot j7 comes with advanced features such as "home mapping" and obstacle avoidance. These can make your life much easier (although one of our test bots did "eat" a few socks). If you're looking to take your home maintenance to the next level opt for a robotic mop with a water tank that can be filled and then empty.
While shark self emptying robot vacuum of the models that we tested could compete with the dirt-picking power of a stand-up vacuum, they were able to do a fantastic job cleaning hard floors as well as carpets with a low pile. They excel at sweeping up fine dust and food crumbs, tracked-in dirt and pet hair. They are also able to tackle stray cat litter and metal screws and nuts. The most effective robot vacuums are able to effortlessly work around furniture, and they do a great job of cleaning corners and edges as well. For a basic model that functions on its own and is comparatively inexpensive, check out the Eufy 11S.
6. Convenient Self-Charging
A robot vacuum will help keep your home tidy and clean without having to do many tasks. You can schedule cleanings using the app, and you can create no-go zones to ensure that your robot does not step on your plants or sit on your favorite chair. Many of our top picks empty their dustbins for you and clean their docking stations.
The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for months or even weeks at a stretch, freeing you from the arduous task of manually cleaning your floors on a weekly or daily basis. This lets you spend more time doing things you enjoy and reduces the amount of time your floors have to be cleaned manually.
During testing the Q Revo was able to pick up tiny particles such as baking soda and oatmeal and heavier debris like nails and screws made of metal and even fluffy matter like hair of pets. It's not equipped with the advanced mapping and object avoidance features found in our top picks, but it works well enough for the majority of families.
The best aspect of the j7 robot is that it makes use of cameras and processor-powered smarts to recognize and avoid obstacles like shoes, power cords, socks, and pet waste. This means you don't have to clean up before you can run your robot, but messy rooms can mean that the robot may become stuck and not perform as good a job.