How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to put some effort in the home maintenance of your robot. This means cleaning up the mess, tangled rug and loose cords.
Choose a model that has an auto-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills. It is also possible to get an all-in-one that vacuums and mop.
Features
You can pick a robot vacuum cleaner with intelligent features based on your home's needs. Some models map your home to create floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that can show live video feeds. These cameras can be used to detect obstacles and assist in problem solving. Some robots have a feature where you can schedule cleaning sessions or alter the frequency.
Find a robot that has an auto-emptying dustbin for those who want it to be able to vacuum and mop. Ecovacs Deebot Pro is among our top picks since it has both features at an affordable price. It has a small suction opening that is similar to those on upright vacuums, which lets it scoop up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also has side brushes that have three bristles to push dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is the top of its kind for many reasons such as its mopping capability, efficient navigation and the low cost.
The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner, with self-emptying dust bins and smart features that provide a hands-free cleaning experience, is a great example. It comes with a small mopping pad which scrubs dirt off and can glide over lightweight mats and rugs that trip up other robots. Sensors help it find dirtier areas, and it can also mop and vacuum simultaneously.
The Eufy Clean X10 is another popular choice, and the app comes with a simple interface which makes setting up customized options quick and simple. Its lidar-powered mapping is fast and accurate, and it easily divides rooms for a thorough clean. It has a great anti-object system that can eat Cheerios and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it did have difficulties with stairs. Its square-front design helped it get into corners better than most other robots we've tried. It's also capable of bending its edges, helping it sweep along baseboards with ease.
Cleaning performance
While robots can't clean deep into carpets or clean up dirt that has been ground in, as a vacuum cleaner, they are capable of picking up fine particles such as baking soda and dust as well as heavier debris like metal screws and pet hair. They can also clean up crumbs and spills. Maintaining your robot with regular maintenance like emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter, and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure it has the longest lifespan possible.
The top robots are capable of removing fine particles from hard floors and low-pile carpets, and they're especially good at sweeping up orzo, sand and wood shavings. They can pick up screws made of metal and cat litter, however they aren't as adept at slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're not as impressive on stairs, and they don't always grab everything that's thrown around the furniture's edges.
Some models excel at mopping as well. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance is a model that does a great cleaning job on hardwood floors. It is able to remove coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food messes. Its intelligent zones and spot cleaning modes allow you to set up a specific area for the robot to focus on, so that it doesn't spend time cleaning areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a excellent job at mopping but it has a distinct advantage over the Roborock. It can first vacuum, and afterwards mop to clean up spills and stains on high-pile carpets.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a different top mopping robot. It's a little more expensive than the Roomba however it comes with superior suction and can handle a greater variety of floor types and textures. It also returns to the charging station after running out of water to continue cleaning where it began. The app provides a variety of other perks, too, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, making it an ideal option for homes with pets or children.
Cost
The top robot vacuum cleaners are reasonably priced and have many advanced features that will allow you to save money over time. Take into consideration the amount you'll need for the vacuum cleaner and mop to ensure you get the best bang for your money. Some models have features you might not need but you will find useful. For example the self-emptying trash container or navigation that is efficient.
The most cost-effective choice is to buy an item that can perform both mops and vacuums. It's important to note that a robot vacuum is only as good as the dirt it sifts up It's not advised to avoid manual vacuuming in favour of using a robot vacuum.
It is possible to pay around $500 on a robot that can do both vacuuming as well as mopping, such as the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored highly in CR's testing and can clean carpets and bare floors. It also has an intuitive app that allows you to examine its cleaning routes and set no-go zones. Jaclyn found that the mopping feature could be improved as it is based on light pressure and a dragging motion rather than scratching.
If you're on the budget you can get a good deal on a robot vacuum that is highly rated and only does one thing, such as the Eufy 11S. Its streamlined design is slim and quiet and it excelled on hardwood floors, tile, and low-pile carpets. It was also very effective in removing pet hair, litter, and other particles.
A few robotics with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation that doesn't produce an outline of coverage and is more likely to fall on furniture or miss certain areas. These robots are still able to clean your floors but they are not as efficient or capable of navigate around obstacles in your home.
Another option is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which earned high marks for both its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo j9+, however it's a breeze to use and performs admirably on both bare floors and carpets. It's also lightweight and can be moved under furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is a great method to keep your home clean, especially when it is used by children or pets. It will require some attention to keep it in prime condition. Regular cleaning, such as emptying bins of dust and washing filters, changing them as well as wiping cameras and sensors can extend the life span of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines, however, 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. Wipe down the charging contacts on the robot's sensor with a damp rag to avoid them becoming blocked.
This model is a great option when you're looking for an efficient, durable robot that's also easy to use. It features a sleek, ultra-slim design that allows it to slip under low ottomans and couches to find hidden dirt. The app makes it easy to select rooms and schedule the cleaning schedule, and also set no-go zones and adjust cleaning intensity.
Although it's more expensive than the other models on this list, this robot comes with a variety of features that will make up for the price tag. Its mapping speed is quick, and it can store four maps of your home in 3D or 2D. It's also among the quieter robotic devices that we test. The battery life is about three hours.
The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum with a stunningly high performance on walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is higher than any other robot we tested. It has many smart features, including a spot-cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It makes use of random navigation to ensure 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 bare floors and can be confused by large carpets or rugs. It's great for small apartments or homes that have narrow hallways with lots of furniture and narrow hallways.