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 means getting rid of debris, tangled rugs, and loose cords.
Select a model with an auto-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills. It is also possible to get two-in-ones that vacuum and mops.
Here are some examples of
You can select a robotic vacuum cleaner with smart features that are suited to your house's requirements. Some models are built to map your home and create floor plans, while others have a built-in camera that provides live video feeds of your space. These cameras can be used to spot obstructions and assist in problem solving. Some robots have the ability to schedule cleaning sessions or adjust the frequency.
Choose a model with self-emptying dustbins in case you'd like it to be able to mop and vacuum. Ecovacs Deebot Pro is one of our top choices because it comes with both features at reasonable prices. It has a small suction opening that is similar to those on upright vacuums, allowing it to remove debris more efficiently than other robots. It also has side brushes with three bristles to push hair and dirt into the robot's path. This model is the top in its class for a variety of reasons, including its efficient navigation, mopping capability and its low cost.
The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, the top-of-the-line robotic vacuum cleaner with self-emptying dust bins and intelligent features that offer an unhands-free cleaning experience is a great example. It comes with a small mopping mat that is able to remove dirt that has been stuck to the floor. It can also glide across mats and rug that are too lightweight for other robots. Its sensors can help you find areas that are more prone to dirt and it can mop and vacuum at the same time, making it perfect for a clean home.
Eufy Clean X10, with its simple-to-use application, is another great choice. Its customization options are simple and quick to install. Its lidar mapping technology is fast and precise. It also lets you divide rooms easily for a thorough clean. It's got great object avoidance technology that sucks up Cheerios and dodges fake dog poop. However, it struggled a bit with stairs. The square-front design of the robot helped it to maneuver around corners better than most other robots we've tested. It's also capable to edge-hugging, helping it sweep along baseboards effortlessly.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as effective as vacuums when it comes to cleaning carpets from deep within and cleaning up dirt that has been hidden. However, they are able to collect small particles like dust and baking soda as well as heavier debris such as screws made of metal and pet fur. They can also clean up spills and crumbs. Maintaining your robot with routine maintenance such as emptying the dustbin and cleaning or changing the filter, and wiping down the sensors and cameras will ensure it lasts for the longest time possible.
The most effective robots are adept at picking up fine particles from hard carpets and floors with low pile. They are also adept at picking up orzo, sand and wood shavings. They can even pick up cat litter and metal screws however they often struggle with heavier items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive when climbing stairs and aren't always able to catch all the debris that floats around the furniture's edges.
Some models are also great at sweeping. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for instance is a model that can do excellent job cleaning hardwood floors. It can remove coffee spills and other liquids as well sticky or dried food spills. The robot's spot and area cleaning modes allow you to set up a specific zone for it to focus on. This way, the robot won't be wasting time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot which does a great job of mopping. It offers an additional advantage over the Roborock one: the option to vacuum first and then mop is a great way of cleaning up spills from high-pile rugs.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a different top mopping robot. It's more expensive than the Roomba, but it has superior suction and can handle more flooring types and textures. It also returns to the charging station when it runs out of water, allowing it to continue cleaning where it began. The app comes with a lot of other conveniences, too, including a feature that automatically schedules recurring cleaning sessions. It's also very quiet, making it a great choice for homes that have pets or children.
Cost
The best robot cleaners perform well at a low cost, and many offer clever features that can help you save money over the long term. Think about how much you'll pay for an air cleaner and a mop in order to get the best bang for your buck. Some models also have extra features that you may not need but can find useful, like an automatic emptying bin or efficient navigation.
The most cost-effective choice is to buy 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 collects, so it's not recommended to abandon regular manual vacuuming in favour of using a robot cleaner.
You can expect to spend about $500 for a robot that can do both vacuuming as well as mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. The robot scored well in the CR's tests and can clean carpets and bare floors. It also has an intuitive app that allows you to view its cleaning route and define no-go zones. Jaclyn found that the mopping feature could be improved, as it uses gentle pressure and a dragging motion rather than scrubbering.
However, if you're on a tight budget, you can still find a bargain on a top-rated robot vacuum that does just one job, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim and quiet design was great at cleaning hardwood floors, tiles and carpets with low pile. It also did not miss a beat when it came to cleaning up pet hair and litter.
Some robots that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation systems that do not create a coverage map and are more likely to become stuck on furniture or miss spots. While best home vacuum cleaner can still clean your floors however, they're not as efficient and aren't capable of navigating around household obstacles.
Shark IQ XL is another option. It's a budget-friendly device that has been praised for its cleaning performance as well as price-to value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo J9+, but is easy to use and performs well on carpets and bare floors. It's also fairly light and can be carried under furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is an ideal method to keep your home clean, especially in the case of children or pets. It does require some care to keep it in prime condition. Making sure you are keeping up with routine cleaning tasks like emptying the trash bin and washing or replacing the filter, and wiping off cameras and sensors can extend the longevity of your robot.
Vacuums need more frequent maintenance than mopping robots, however you can extend the life of your vacuum by following the instructions from the manufacturer for cleaning and emptying the brush roll, dust bin and filter. Clean the charging contacts on the robot's sensor using a damp rag to avoid them becoming blocked.
This model is an excellent choice if you're looking for a robust, intelligent robot that is also simple to use. It's sleek ultra-slim design that enables it to slip under low ottomans and couches to get rid of dirt. The app lets you schedule a cleaning and select rooms. You can also create zones that are not allowed to be used, and also adjust the intensity of cleaning.
This robot is a bit more costly than the other models on this list, however it has many features that will make up for it. Its mapping speed is quick and it can save four maps of your home in 3-D or 2D. It's also among the quieter robotic devices we tested. The battery lasts for about three hours.
The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with an impressively high performance on walls. In our tests, it cleared up to 1.3 inches away from the wall. This is higher than any of the other robots we tried. It has a number of useful smart features, like a spot-cleaning feature and an auto-boost mode. It also uses random navigation, which means it doesn't re-clean the same spots over and over.
The robot's drawback is it is that it cannot recognize bare flooring and is easily confused by thick 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.