What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A wet dry robot vacuum vacuum can keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on a regular basis. Many use apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions and create virtual boundaries, or 'walls' to keep them away from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This smart vac-mop will create a map of your home with its first run. It then saves the space to be used for cleaning tasks in the future. It comes with self-cleaning brush rolls as well as an extra-large dust bin that empty automatically.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum cleaner, select one that is able to pick up big items such as lamps and toys as well as dust particles that are fine. This will ensure that they don't get caught in the roller brush or strewn across your floor. This feature is especially important if your robot will be regularly cleaned by pets or children.

A model that has an efficient engine and plenty of suction is also an excellent choice. This will make it more effective at getting up pet hair, lint, and dust off your carpets and hardwood floors.

The size of your home is a different factor to consider. If you live in an apartment it is possible to pick one that has multiple cleaning zones so you can clean your entire house in one session. Certain models have mopping features that can be used to keep floors looking fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums can last for a long time however they'll need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Regularly cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying your dust bin, and wiping your sensors will ensure that your robot is running smoothly for a long time. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have had the same model for 10 years or more (and replaced brushes, motors and batteries along the way).

A basic robot will cost less than a full-size vacuum cleaner, however they'll still do a great job at keeping up with surface dirt, pet hair and lint. You can use them to scrub your floor several times a day. They aren't as technologically advanced and are more prone to getting jammed or needing manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuum for pets robot vacs use sensors, lasers, or cameras to guide them around your home without falling off or getting stuck on the staircase. They are also able to stay clear of obstacles such as cords and furniture legs and some models can automatically return to their dock or base when they are running low on energy. Some of the most expensive models come with mapping capabilities that allow them to remember your home's layout and spend less time bouncing off walls.

There is no need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. There are models that do a great job at picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces like wood, tile and low-pile rugs. They also do a good job of removing larger debris such as metal screws and staples that are rusty or even the remains of toys. Some come with an automatic base that drains itself, which is ideal if you do not want to empty it at the end of each cleaning session.

Some robotic vacuums have clever features that make the traditional stick vacuum look quaint. These include schedules, zone-targeting, and the capability to control them using an app or a voice assistant, such as Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones and 'virtual walls' to block off areas where you do not want the robot to go.

Some robotic vacuums, like the Eufy 11S or my former top pick, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology to prevent them from tripping over cords or furniture. Others, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance, which uses sensors powered by processors to identify and avoid items like shoes, lamp cords, socks and pet waste. It's a bit more expensive than other bots I've tried, however it does a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles and rarely gets stuck or derailed when I'm working on my floor.

While the iRobot j7+ was a good obstacle avoidance tool but it wasn't always able to do an excellent job of avoiding dirt and crumbs from my carpets. It also had a tendency to over-vacuum specific areas, leading to a lot of dust in the filters, and a less clean house.

Smart Mapping

The best robot vacuums include an app that allows you to alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and look at the floor area covered by the machine. This is a useful feature, and one that some competitors lack altogether. This allows you to create profiles that automatically start your robot at specific time intervals and run it on regularly, for example, cleaning the living room before dinner or every other day.

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.

Find a model that has a large dustbin. This will allow you to perform many cleaning sessions without needing to empty it. There are models that self-empty. This eliminates the need to empty the robot after each vacuuming session.

If you're looking to purchase a robot that is more than a vacuum, think about one that has mopping functions. These are typically larger than the robotic vacuums, and include a water tank inside that can hold several cleaning sessions worth of dirt and other debris prior to needing to be cleaned.

The most advanced robots generate their own maps of your house and can even remember the layout from one cleaning to another and help them avoid getting lost or trapped in corners. This can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum, as it will not have to return to where it started when it comes across walls or furniture.

Our testers who used robots with this feature found it to be extremely efficient. They could watch TV or complete other chores while the robot cleaned. Some models use laser navigation to create the map of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or in all rooms while you are at work.

App Control

If you're looking to change the frequency at which the robot cleans your house and select the cleaning mode, it's best to get one that is compatible with a mobile app. You can also see the status of the vacuum as well as the condition of its dust bin in the app. The best vacuums that are robotic can be controlled by Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

A robot that has a self-emptying bin and washable filters is simple to keep clean, especially when you are able to access the filter and remove it to wash it. Another great feature is a powerful brush that is able to reach into corners and along baseboards which makes it easier to remove hair and dirt. Certain robots are better in avoiding the chair's legs than others, and some have self-cleaning sensors that can prevent the obstruction of brushes that may happen in other robots.

Some robot vacuums come with navigation tools to help them navigate around obstacles and learn your home. The top models come with sensors and cameras that detect obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords, while cheaper models may use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas where you don't want it to enter. Avoidance of objects is particularly important for families with young children who throw socks and toys scattered across the house, since it allows your robot to grab those items instead of scattering them.

We're seeing more robots equipped with mops which are beneficial for wet Dry Robot vacuum those who have hard floors and need to mop them regularly. They come with an integrated water tank into the chassis or an extra piece you can put in when you're ready to mop. These robots may need to be refilled frequently but they're ideal for homes that have hard floors that aren't cleaned easily with vacuums.

These robots are loaded with some impressive technology, and they cost much less than you would expect. You can find a quality one for under $200. It does a decent job cleaning on hard floors and can be scoured around the edges of carpets and rugs. The robot can be programmed to clean a particular room on a regular basis. It can also be controlled remotely using an app or by pressing buttons.