How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to put some effort into the home maintenance of your robot. That means clearing out debris, tidying up loose cords and knotted rugs.
Look for a model with self-emptying bins. This will make it easier for you to clean up spills. It is possible to get two-in-one vacuums and mops.
Features
Depending on your home needs depending on your home's needs, you can select the best robot cleaner with advanced features. Some models are designed to plan your home and create floor plans, while others come with a built-in camera that provides live videos of your home. These cameras can be used to detect obstacles and assist in problem solving. Some robots feature an option to schedule cleaning sessions or alter the frequency.
If you're looking for a robot that can both vacuum and mop, look for a model with an automatic emptying dustbin. Ecovacs' Deebot Pro is one of our top picks because it comes with both features at reasonable prices. It has a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This allows it to get rid of debris faster than other robots. It has side brushes with three bristles that push dirt and hair into the path of the robot. This model is the best in its category for many reasons, including its effective navigation, mopping capability and low price.
The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can go weeks without needing to be empty. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner, with a self emptying dustbin and smart features that provide hands-free cleaning, is a great example. It comes with a tiny mopping pad that scrubs away stuck-on dirt and can glide over lightweight mats and rugs that make other robots stumble. The sensors it uses can assist in locating areas that are more prone to dirt, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.
The Eufy Clean X10 is another top choice, and its app comes with a simple interface which makes setting up customized options simple and quick. Its lidar mapping technology is fast and accurate. It also divides rooms easily for a thorough cleaning. It has a great anti-object system that can eat Cheerios and even avoid fake dog poop. However, it had difficulties with stairs. Its square-front design allowed it get into corners more efficiently than the majority of robots we've tested. It's also capable of bending its edges which allows it to sweep across baseboards effortlessly.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as efficient as vacuums in cleaning carpets from deep within and cleaning up dirt that's been buried. However, they are able to collect small particles such as dust and baking soda as well as larger debris like metal screws and pet fur. They also remove spills and crumbs. Maintaining your robot with routine maintenance such as emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter, and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure it lasts for the longest time possible.
The top robots are capable of picking up fine particles on carpets with low pile and hard floors They're particularly adept at sweeping up orzo pasta, sand and wood shavings. They can also clean up cat litter and screws made of metal but they're more likely to struggle with slower items like baked flour or coffee grounds. They're not as impressive when climbing stairs, and do not always grab everything that is in the corners.
A few models excel at mopping also. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for example is a model that does excellent job cleaning hardwood floors. It is able to remove coffee spills and other liquids as well as dried or sticky food mess. The robot's intelligent spot and area cleaning options allow you to create the area it is to concentrate on. This means that the robot doesn't be wasting time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot which does a great job of mopping, and has a distinct advantage over the Roborock that is the ability to first vacuum before you mop, which is better at cleaning up spills on high-pile rugs.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a top mopping robot. It's more expensive than Roomba however it has superior suction. It's also able to handle a wider range of floor types and textures. It's smart enough to return to the charging dock when running out of water and then resume cleaning the point it left off. Its app offers lots of other perks, too with an option to automatically schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, which makes it a perfect option for homes with pets or children.
Cost
The top robot cleaners are inexpensive and have many advanced features that will allow you to save money over time. You'll want to consider how much you need mop and vacuum to get the most value for your money. Some models have features you may not use but will be useful. For instance the self-emptying trash bin or navigation that is efficient.
Investing in a model that can do both mops and vacuums is the most cost-effective option. It's important to note that a robot vacuum is only as good as the dirt it picks up therefore it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming in favor of using your robot cleaner.
A robot that costs $500 capable of both vacuuming as well as mopping is reasonable. A good example is the iRobot Combo j9+. The robot scored well in CR's testing, and it can clean floors, carpets, and even bare floors. It comes with a user-friendly application that lets you track its cleaning routes, and set no-go areas. Jaclyn discovered that the mopping function could be improved since it uses light pressure and a dragging motion, rather than scrubbing.
If you're looking to save money you can find a great deal for an electric vacuum that is highly rated and only does one thing, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim and quiet design excels at cleaning hardwood floors, tiles, and low pile carpets. It was also very effective in removing pet hair, litter, and other particles.
A few robots with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation systems that do not provide a coverage map, and are more likely to become stuck on furniture or miss spots. While these robots are able to clean your floors but they're not as efficient and are less adept at navigating around home obstacles.
Another alternative is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which earned high marks for both its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not quite as smart as the Combo J9+, but is simple to use and performs well on floors that are carpeted or bare. It's also light and can be pushed under furniture without getting caught.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is a great method of keeping your home clean, especially if you have children or pets. It will require some care to keep it in prime condition. Maintaining a regular schedule of cleaning tasks, like emptying the trash bin washing or changing the filter, and wiping off sensors and cameras can extend the lifespan of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines but you can extend the life of your vacuum if you follow the manufacturer's instructions for emptying and cleaning its dustbin, brush roller and filter. Wipe down the robot's charging contacts and sensor with a damp cloth to avoid them becoming clogged.
This model from Eufy is a great choice if you want a smart robust, sturdy robot that is easy to use. Its slim, sleek design allows it to be placed under couches that are low and ottomans, allowing it to access dirt that's hidden. automated vacuum cleaner allows you to pick rooms and schedule the cleaning schedule, as well as to set no-go zones and alter cleaning intensity.
While it's a bit more expensive than some models on this list, this one has many features that make up for the extra price tag. Its mapping is quick and it's able to save four maps of your home in 3D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robots we tested, and its battery will last about three hours on charge.
The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with a stunningly high performance when it comes to walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches from the wall in our tests, which is far more than any other bot we test. It comes with a variety of useful smart features, like spot-cleaning features and an auto-boost mode. It uses random navigation so that it doesn't have to clean the same spots on a regular basis.
This robot has one drawback It is unable to recognize floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by carpets and rug. It's ideal for apartments with small spaces or single-family homes with narrow hallways as well as furniture that is a lot of narrow hallways.