How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to put a bit of effort into your robot's home maintenance. This means removing debris, tidying up loose cords and rug rugs that are tangled.
Choose a model that comes with a self-emptying bin. This will make it easier to clean up spills. It is also possible to get an all-in-one that vacuums and mops.
Features
You can pick a robot vacuum cleaner with intelligent features based on the needs of your home. Some models use maps of your home to make floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that displays live video feeds. These cameras can be used to detect issues and assist in problem-solving. Some robots come with the ability to plan cleaning sessions and alter the frequency.
If you want a robot that can also vacuum and mop, look for a model with an automatic emptying dustbin. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is among the best options we've tested because it has both features at a reasonable cost. It has a small suction opening, similar to those on upright vacuums, which helps to collect debris better than other robots. It also has side brushes that have three bristles that move dirt and hair into the robot's path. This model is the top of its kind for many reasons including its mopping capabilities effective navigation, and its affordable price.
The top robovacs are outfitted with large dust bins, that last for weeks without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dustbins and intelligent features that provide a hands-free cleaning experience, is a perfect example. It comes with a tiny mopping mat that removes dirt that has gotten stuck to the floor. It can also glide across mats and rug that are too lightweight for other robots. Sensors help identify the areas that are prone to dirt, and it is able to mop and vacuum simultaneously making it the perfect choice for a clean home.
Eufy Clean X10, with its simple-to-use application, 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 allows rooms to be divided easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It also has an excellent anti-object system that can eat Cheerios, and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it had some issues with stairs. Its square-front design helped it to maneuver around corners more easily than other robots that we've tested. It's also capable of edge-hugging, helping it sweep along baseboards effortlessly.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as efficient as vacuums in cleaning deep into carpets and cleaning up dirt that has been put in. However, they can pick up fine particles such as dust and baking soda as well as heavier debris such as metal screws and pet fur. They can also clean up spills and crumbs. Maintaining your robot through regular maintenance, such as emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the sensors and cameras will ensure that it lasts for the longest time possible.
The best robots are great in removing fine particles from hard carpets and floors with low pile. They're also good at removing orzo sand, and wood shavings. They can pick up metal screws and cat litter, however they struggle with slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They are less impressive on stairs, and they don't always grab everything on the edges.
A few models excel at cleaning as well. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance, is a model that can do a great cleaning job on hardwood flooring. It can remove coffee spills, liquids, as well sticky or dried food mess. The robot's spot and area cleaning modes allow you to set up an area for it to focus on. This means that the robot doesn't be wasting time vacuuming areas which are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that is capable of mopping. It has an extra advantage over the Roborock: the option to vacuum first and then mop is a great way of cleaning up spills from high-pile carpets.
Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than the Roomba, but it has superior suction and is able to handle more floor types and textures. It's also smart enough to return to the charging dock if it's running out of water and resume cleaning from where it was when it left. The app comes with a lot of other perks, too, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. And it's extremely quiet which makes it a great choice for homes with children or pets.
Cost
The top robot cleaners are inexpensive and come with a variety of smart features that will help you save money over time. Consider how much you'll need for the vacuum cleaner and mop in order to get the most value for your money. Some models also have extra features you might not require but could be useful, like a self-emptying bin or efficient navigation.
The most cost-effective option is to purchase a model which can do both mops and vacuums. It's important to keep in mind that a robot vacuum is only as good as the dirt it sifts up, so it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming to make room for using a robot cleaner.
You should expect to pay about $500 for a robot that does both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored excellent marks in the tests of CR and can clean floors that are not bare and carpets. It also comes with an intuitive application that lets you see its cleaning route and set no-go zones. Jaclyn Turner noticed that the mopping functionality could use improvement, as it uses a dragging mechanism using light pressure instead of real scrubbing.
If you're on the budget it's possible to find a great deal for a robot vacuum that is highly rated and only does one thing, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim and quiet design was great at cleaning floors made of hardwood, tiles, and low pile carpets. It was also extremely effective at picking up pet hair, litter, and other particles.
Some budget-friendly robots feature rudimentary 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 however, they're not as efficient and are less able to navigate around household obstacles.
Another option is the less expensive Shark IQ XL, which received high marks for its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo j9+, but it's a breeze to use and does an excellent job on both floors that are unfinished and carpets. It's also relatively lightweight and can be easily pushed under furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner can be a great option to keep your home tidy, particularly in the case of pets or children. It requires some maintenance in order to keep it in top condition. Regular cleaning, for example, emptying dust bins washing or changing filters, and wiping sensors and cameras, can prolong the life of your robot.
Vacuums need more frequent maintenance than mopping robots, however you can prolong the life of your vacuum by following instructions from the manufacturer for cleaning and emptying the dustbin, brush roll and filter. Wipe down the charging contacts of the robot and sensor with a damp rag to prevent them from becoming clogged.
This model from Eufy is an excellent pick for those who want a sophisticated, durable robot that's easy to use. Its ultra-slim and sleek design lets it fit under low couches and ottomans to grab dirt that's been hidden. The app allows you to choose rooms and plan a cleaning, and also set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned and adjust the cleaning intensity.
The robot is more expensive than the other models on this list, however it has many features which can make up for the cost. Its mapping speed is quick and it's able to save four maps of your home in 3-D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robots we tested, and its battery will last about three hours per charge.
The Romba 11s is an extremely versatile vacuum cleaner that can work well against 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 has many useful smart features, such as the ability to clean up spots and an auto-boost mode. It makes use of random navigation to ensure that it doesn't scrub the same spots over and over.
This robot has one disadvantage it is that it cannot recognize floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by thick carpets and rug. But it's a great choice when you live in a tiny house or apartment with narrow hallways and plenty of furniture.