"The Best Robot Vacuum Awards: The Most Stunning, Funniest, And Weirdest Things We've Ever Seen

Best Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuum for the money robot vacuums are excellent in removing pet hair, dust and other particles from hard floors and carpets. They leave a lot of debris on baseboards and furniture.

Certain models can be operated via a smartphone application and others require physically operated remotes. Some models include advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation and editable floor plans.

Object Avoidance

The most efficient robot vacuums feature sophisticated navigation systems to avoid obstacles like walls, furniture and cords. They also have object-avoidance technology to recognize pets, toys and other debris that could get in the way or be sucked into the suction blades. These features will save you time by making sure that your robot is not trapped under the sofa or behind a bed.

Some of the most advanced robots like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of cameras and lasers to create a map. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also detect changes in your home, such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot has, but it can make a huge distinction in the performance and ease of use of your new appliance.

Many of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them throughout your home. They can be useful in most circumstances however, they can get caught up in objects that are too close, like lamp cords and shoes. They are also less expensive and don't have the capability of learning when they miss an obstacle. You may need to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums can be caught up on larger items, like large pet poop or chairs legs. If the object is too big the robot cleaner might not be capable of lifting it, and may be forced to push it to the edges of the room, causing unsightly skid marks on your floors. If you have a pet or cat, you may need to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots permit you to create a virtual barrier using the application.

The more advanced robotic vacuums in this list utilize object detection in optimal and low-light conditions to detect what's in the area in front of them. TrueDetect 3D obstacle-avoidance technology is available on the DEEBOT OMNI, the X1 OMNI and OMNI robots. This technology is able to detect up to 30 kinds of obstacles in optimal lighting conditions.

Self-Emptying Basses

A self-emptying base can be an excellent feature, regardless of whether you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of every cleaning session. These gadgets can hold up to 60 days worth of trash. They should be emptied less often than the dustbin of the robot.

Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature that includes iRobot's Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it's included with your robot.

Self-emptying bases not only save your time, but also save you money on dust bags. It will also help keep your home spotless. Based on the manufacturer the base comes with separate filters that can capture allergens, but they might require cleaning frequently. It is recommended to use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.

Another aspect to consider is the amount of suction power a robot has. There isn't a standard power scale used by all companies, but some offer Pascal (Pa), which gives you an idea of the performance of the device. In general, the higher the Pa rating the more powerful the vacuum.

A good robot should also have features that are easy to use, as well as an instruction manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual will assist you in learning the basics and troubleshoot common issues, which is important because these machines aren't expensive. You should look for an instruction manual that contains guidelines for maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. If you're using a mobile application to control the robot, you'll be able to view the available settings and configure them according to zones, rooms or individual automatic floor vacuum surfaces. Some apps let you set up specific cleaning times, and even control the robot by voice. Many popular brands allow you to design your own cleaning schedule and set virtual no-go areas. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning plan and then return to it at any time. If you fail to complete the task, then the robot will pick up where it left off.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Although robot vacuums don't have the same power as fully-sized corded upright or cordless stick models, their specialized motors are designed to be energy efficient. The best robot vacuums can run for several hours on a single battery charge. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their base, without you needing to be there. In our tests, we found that a 90 to 100-minute battery life is ideal for most homes, and will provide enough time to clean your whole apartment on one go.

The dust bin of a robot vacuum should be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This can be a difficult task, particularly if you have a large house or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums could save you some major frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after each use to ensure it is ready for the next vacuuming sessions.

The majority of robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank, which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially useful when you have tiled or hardwood floors that require a little extra attention between your regular vacuuming sessions. Mopping robots do not typically have the same suction power as the traditional vacuum, and struggle to remove liquid spills.

If you're looking for a robot that can vacuum and mop, consider a one-stop combo robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. These two top picks are both of high-quality and provide an excellent value. They both have a good suction level and come with a big, self-emptying base station. They don't have the advanced navigation capabilities of our two top-rated robots, and so they may not be able to tackle your entire house on one charge.

Another option for a hands-free mopping robot is the Eufy 11S. This inexpensive model does not include a removable or integrated water reservoir. It does however have an excellent suction level (2,500 Pa) and is able to be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S is not a vacuum designed for furniture or stairs, but it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming sessions and mopping.

Easy Maintenance

While robot vacuums can save you time and effort, they do require some daily maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For example, choose a model that has a self-emptying base to reduce the number of times you have to empty the bin manually when cleaning. This feature is particularly helpful if you have pets that shed a lot or if you tend to forget to mop or sweep.

In addition to the basic features such as a rotating brush and suction, most of our top picks also include extra features that can cut down cleaning time even more. Consider a multisurface cleaner that comes with a mopping mat that's easy to attach and stays in the right place, or a vacuum that utilizes LiDAR navigation to recognize dirt areas around your home so it can remove them completely.

Certain models let you set a cleaning schedule and designate rooms to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some models come with advanced software that can learn the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles but you'll have to pay for these advanced features.

Robot vacuums are offered in various prices, from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro which is only suitable for hardwood floors, up to $1600 for the Roborock Q5 maximum+ that can mop and vacuum both hardwood floors and carpets. Like everything else the more features you'd like the more expensive, but there are reliable choices at any price point.

We have the best robot vacuums for your needs, whether it's a an easy bump and roll vac or one with intelligent mapping that will clean your washing machine while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 has excellent object-avoidance technology, maneuvering around furniture and toys without getting stuck. It's got wifi and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can schedule cleanings and remotely control the vacuum.

For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum for large house (relevant resource site) robot vacuum, take a look at our comprehensive guide to robotic mops as well as our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Be sure to keep track of our suggested cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your holiday gift will arrive on time.