The Comprehensive Guide To Good Robot Vacuum What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum can keep you on top of pet hair and lint on regular basis. Many work with apps to allow you to schedule cleaning times and create virtual boundaries, or "walls" to keep them from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.


This smart vacuum and mop creates a home map with its first trip, and then it will remember your space for future jobs. It has self-cleaning brush rolls as well as an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum cleaner, select one that can pick-up big items such as lamps and toys as well as dust particles that are fine. This will ensure that they do not get stuck in the roller brushes or strewn across your floor. This is particularly important if your robot will be cleaned frequently by children or pets.

A model with a powerful engine and lots of suction is an excellent option. This will make it more effective in removing pet hair, dust and lint from your carpets and hardwood floors.

The size of your home is another crucial factor to consider. If you live in a big home, you might prefer a model with multiple cleaning zones that can clean the entire home in one session. Some models have mopping features that can be used to keep floors looking clean and fresh.

Robot vacuums are long-lasting however, they must be cleaned properly and regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust container and wiping down the sensors regularly will keep your robot functioning efficiently for many the years to come. Many owners of robot vacuums that we have spoken with have had the same machine for 10 years or more (and changed motors, brushes and batteries along the way).

A basic robot will cost less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll do a fantastic job of keeping up with dirt on the surface, pet hair and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors several times per day. The drawback is that they don't come with as advanced technology, and could be prone to becoming stuck or needing human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacs use sensors, lasers, or cameras to guide them around your home without falling off or getting stuck on the staircase. Certain models are able to return to their base or dock when the battery is low. They can also stay clear of obstacles such as furniture cords and legs. Some of the most expensive models come with the ability to map, which allows them to remember your home's layout and therefore spend less time bouncing off walls.

You don't need to spend an enormous amount of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. robot vacuum that vacuums and mops can still find models that do an excellent job of removing pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces, such as tile, wood and low-pile rugs. They can also do a good job of handling larger objects such as metal screws or staples that have rust, or discarded toys. Some come with self-emptying bases which is helpful for those who don't want to empty your trash bin after every cleaning session.

Most robotic vacs also offer smart features that make your ordinary stick vacuum appear old-fashioned, including scheduling, zone targeting, and the ability to control them with an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. You can also design cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't wish the robot to get into.

Some robotic vacs, such as the Eufy 11S and my former top pick Roborock S8 Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that stops them from crashing into furniture or tangling cords. Some robot vacuums, like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle-avoidance technology which uses sensors, cameras and smarts to avoid items like lamp cords and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than other bots that I've tried, however it does a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles and rarely is stuck or tripped when working on my floor.

The J7+ from iRobot was a great obstacle-avoiding robot however, it didn't always succeed at avoiding crumbs and dirt on my rugs. It also was known to over-vacuum certain areas, resulting in dust accumulating in the filters, and an unclean home.

Smart Mapping

The best robot vacuums have an app that lets you to customize cleaning settings and schedules, as well as view an outline of the floor area that the machine covers. This is a great feature that other models do not have. This lets you create profiles that automatically start the robot at certain times and run it continuously. For example, it could be cleaning the living room every day or before dinner.

A good app can allow you to control your robot via voice commands. Certain models can be controlled by Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free. You can say "start with a clean" or "change cleaning mode" without using the app.

To have a hands-free experience, look for models with a large dust bin that can hold several cleaning sessions before having to be empty. You can also find models that are self-emptying that take some of the burden of emptying the machine after each vacuuming run.

If you're looking for a robot that can do more than vacuum, consider a model with a mopping function. These are usually larger than robotic vacuums, and come with a water tank which can hold several cleaning sessions worth of dirt and dust before it needs to be empty.

The most advanced robots can create their own maps of your home. They can even keep track of the layout from one cleaning to another, which helps them avoid getting lost or stuck in corners. This can make a huge difference in how efficiently your robot vacuums, as it won't have to spend time returning to the beginning of the room if it comes into contact with walls or furniture.

Our test participants who utilized a robot with this capability discovered it to be extremely efficient. They could easily watch TV or complete other chores while the robot was cleaning. Some models employ laser navigation and can make an exact map of your home, meaning you can program them to clean only the bedroom after dinner or each room of the house while you're working.

App Control

If you want to customize the frequency with which the robot cleans your home and choose a cleaning mode it is recommended to purchase one that works with an app for mobile devices. In the app, you can also examine the status of your vacuum and its dust bin. Some of the top vacuums that are robotic can be controlled with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

It is simple to maintain a robot that has a washable filter and a self-emptying container, particularly when the filter can be easily removed and rinsed. A high-powered brush is another excellent feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards to remove dirt and hair. Certain robots are better at avoiding chair leg than others. Some have an automatic cleaning system that cleans brushes to avoid clogging.

Certain robo-vacs utilize navigation tools to help them learn your home and overcome obstacles. High-end models have sensors and cameras that recognize obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords, whereas cheaper models sometimes use boundary strips that you put on the floor to mark areas where you don't want it to enter. Avoidance of objects is crucial for families with children who throw toys and socks scattered throughout the house, because it assists your robot in capturing the objects instead of scattering them.

We're beginning to see more robots with mops, which are useful for those who have hard floors and require to clean them regularly. They come with an integrated water tank into the chassis or an extra piece you can put in when it's time to mop. They might need to be refilled more often than other kinds of robots, however they're perfect for homes with hard floors that can't be easily cleaned by vacuum.

We've seen some amazing technology packed into these little robots, and they're a lot less expensive than you might imagine. You can find a quality one under $200, which can do a decent job of cleaning on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and area rugs. It is possible to schedule the robot to sweep the room on a regular basis and can be controlled remotely via the app or by pressing buttons on its side.