How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to put a bit of effort into the home maintenance of your robot. This includes cleaning up clutter, tangled rugs and loose cords.
Find a model that has a self-emptying bin. This makes it easier for you to clean up spills. You might want to consider an all-in-one vacuum and mop.
Features
You can select a robotic vacuum cleaner with intelligent features based on your house's requirements. Some models map your home to create floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that shows live video feeds. These cameras can also be used to spot obstacles and assist in solving problems. Some robots come with a feature that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and change the frequency.
If you want a robot that can also mop and vacuum, look for a model that has a self-emptying dustbin. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is one the top options we've tested because it has both features for a low cost. It has a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This makes it able to get rid of debris faster than other robots. It also uses side brushes that have three bristles to move dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is the best of its kind for a variety reasons, including its mopping ability, efficient navigation and low price.
The best robovacs are equipped with large dust bins that can go weeks without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dust bins and smart features that provide an unhands-free cleaning experience is a fantastic example. It comes with a small mopping mat that is able to remove dirt that has gotten stuck to the floor. It can also glide across mats and carpets that are too heavy for other robots. Sensors help identify areas that are more prone to dirt and it can mop and vacuum simultaneously, making it perfect for a clean home.
Eufy Clean X10, with its easy-to-use app, is another great choice. Its options for customization are quick and easy to set up. Its lidar mapping technology is fast and precise. It also lets you divide rooms easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It also has an excellent object avoidance system that can consume Cheerios and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it did have difficulties with stairs. The square-front design of the robot helped it to get into corners more efficiently than the majority of robots we've tried. It's also capable of bending its edges which allows it to sweep across baseboards easily.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as effective as vacuums when it comes to cleaning carpets deep and sweeping up dirt that has been hidden. However, they can remove small particles such as dust and baking soda and heavier debris like metal screws and pet fur. They also clean up spills and crumbs. Making sure that your robot is maintained with regular maintenance, such as emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the cameras and sensors will ensure that it has the longest lifespan possible.
The top robots do an excellent job of picking up small particles from carpets with low piles and hard floors and are particularly adept at sweeping up orzo as well as wood shavings, sand and sand. They can pick up metal screws and cat litter, but they aren't as adept at slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive when climbing stairs, and don't always grab everything around the edges.
Some models are also fantastic at sweeping. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance, is a model that does excellent job cleaning hardwood floors. It is able to remove coffee spills, liquids, as well sticky or dried food mess. The robot's intelligent spot and area cleaning modes allow you to set up the area it is to focus on. This way, the robot won't be wasting time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that does a good job of mopping, and it offers an additional advantage over the Roborock that is the ability to vacuum first and then mop, which is better at cleaning up spills from high-pile rugs.
Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than Roomba however it has superior suction. It's also able to handle a greater variety of flooring types and textures. It's smart enough to return to the charging dock when getting dry and pick up the point it left off. best robot vacuum offers lots of other features, too such as an option to automatically schedule regular cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, which makes it an ideal option for homes with children or pets.
Cost
The top robot cleaners are affordable and have many advanced features that will allow you to save money over time. You should consider the price of mop and vacuum to get the best value for your buck. Certain models have features you don't need but will be useful. For instance the self-emptying trash container or a navigation system that's efficient.
The most cost-effective choice is to buy an item that can perform both mops as well as vacuums. It's important to keep in mind that a robot vac uum is only as effective as the dirt it picks up therefore it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming to make room for using a robot vacuum.
The cost of $500 for a robot capable of both vacuuming and mopping is reasonable. An example would be 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 allows you to see its cleaning route, and set no-go areas. Jaclyn found that the mopping function could be improved as it uses gentle pressure and a dragging movement rather than scrubbing.
However, if you're on a budget you can still find a bargain on a top-rated robotic vacuum that does just one job, such as the Eufy 11S. Its sleek and quiet design excels in cleaning tiles, hardwood floors, and low pile carpets. It also proved very efficient at picking up pet hair and litter.
Some robotics that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation that doesn't generate a map of coverage and is more likely to get caught on furniture or miss specific spots. While these robots can still clean your floors but they're not as efficient and aren't capable of navigating around household obstacles.
Another alternative is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which has received high marks for its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo J9+, but it is simple to use and works well on carpets and bare floors. It's also fairly light and can be pushed underneath furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is an ideal way to keep your house clean, especially if it has pets or children. It will require some attention to keep it in top condition. Regular cleaning, for example, emptying the dust bins washing or changing filters, and wiping cameras and sensors can extend the life span 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 instructions of the manufacturer for emptying and cleaning its brush roller, dust bin, and filter. Clean the charging contacts on the robot's sensor using a damp rag to prevent them from becoming clogged.
This model is a great choice to find an efficient, durable robot that is also simple to use. Its slim and sleek design allows it to fit under low couches and ottomans to grab dirt that's been hidden. The app lets you organize a cleaning time and select rooms. You can also create no-go zones, and adjust the cleaning intensity.
This model is a little more expensive than the other models on this list, however it has many features which can make up for the cost. Its mapping is fast and it can save four maps of your home in 2D or 3-D. It's also one of the quieter robots that we tested, and its battery lasts about three hours per charge.
The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with a stunningly high performance when it comes to walls. It cleared up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is more than any other robot we tested. It comes with a variety of useful smart features, such as a spot-cleaning feature and an auto-boost mode. It uses random navigation so that it doesn't clean the same spots over and over.
The only downside to this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to discern unfinished floors, and is easily confused by thick carpets or rug. However, it's a great option for those who live in a small home or apartment with narrow hallways and lots of furniture.