How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll need to do some work to keep your robot's home in order. This includes getting rid of the mess, tangled rug and loose cords.
Select a model with an auto-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills and mess. It is also possible to get a 2-in-1 that vacuums and mop.
Features
Based on the needs of your home, you can choose the best robot cleaner with advanced features. Certain models can use maps of your home to make floor plans while others have an integrated camera that can show live video feeds. These cameras can also be used to identify obstacles and help with problem-solving. Some robots come with a feature that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and adjust the frequency.
Choose a model with an auto-emptying dustbin in case you'd like it to be able to mop and vacuum. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is among the best options we've tested because it has both features at an affordable price. It has a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This allows it to remove debris more effectively than other robots. It uses side brushes with three bristles that help to push hair and dirt into the path of the robot. This model is among the top in its class for numerous reasons, including its effective mopping, navigation and its low cost.
The most effective robovacs come with large dust bins, which can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an outstanding example of a premium robot that has a self-emptying bin and intelligent features to provide a hands-free experience. It has a small mopping pad that scrubs off dirt stuck on it and can glide over lightweight mats and rugs that can cause problems for other robots. Its sensors can help it locate dirtier areas, and it can also vacuum and mop simultaneously.
The Eufy Clean X10 is another popular choice, and the application has a user-friendly interface that makes setting up customization options easy and straightforward. Its lidar mapping technology is fast and accurate. It also allows rooms to be divided easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It has great technology for avoiding objects that suckers up Cheerios and evades fake dog poop, however it struggled a bit with stairs. The square-front design of the robot helped it to get into corners more easily than other robots we've tested. It's also capable to edge-hugging, helping it sweep along baseboards with ease.
Cleaning performance
Robots aren't as effective as vacuums when it comes to cleaning carpets deep and sweeping up dirt that has been put in. However, they can pick up fine particles like dust and baking soda as well as larger debris like metal screws and pet fur. They can also sweep up crumbs and spills. Making sure that your robot is maintained with regular maintenance, such as emptying the dustbin cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the cameras and sensors will ensure that it lasts for the longest time possible.
The best robots are great in removing fine particles from hard floors and low pile carpets. They are also adept at removing orzo sand and wood shavings. They can pick up metal screws and cat litter, but they struggle with slower objects like coffee grounds or baked flour. They're less impressive on stairs, and don't always grab everything around the edges.
Certain models are also excellent 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 and dry or sticky food messes. Its zone and spot cleaning modes let you define a specific area that the robot will focus on, so that it doesn't spend time cleaning areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot which does a great job of mopping. It has an extra advantage over the Roborock that is the ability to first vacuum and then mop, which is better at cleaning up spills from high-pile rugs.
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a different top mopping robot. It's a bit more expensive than the Roomba, but it has superior suction and can work with more floor types and textures. It can also return to the charging station once it's out of water, allowing it to continue cleaning the area where it left off. Its app has many other options, including the ability to schedule recurring cleaning sessions. It's also extremely quiet, which makes it a perfect choice for homes that have pets or children.
Cost
The best robot cleaners are affordable and come with a variety of smart features that will help you save money over time. Take into consideration the amount you'll need for the vacuum cleaner and mop to ensure you get the most value for your buck. Certain models come with additional features you might not require but could be useful, like a self-emptying bin or efficient navigation.
A model that can do both mops and vacuums is the most cost-effective option. It is crucial to keep in mind that a robot cleaner will only be as good as the dirt they remove.
It is possible to pay around $500 on a robot that can do both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. It scored high in CR's testing and can clean carpets and bare floors. It also comes with an intuitive app that allows you to examine its cleaning routes and set zones that are not allowed to be used. Jaclyn Turner noticed that the mopping feature could be improved, since it is based on a dragging system using light pressure instead of true scrub.
However, if you're on a budget, you can still find a great deal on a top-rated robot vacuum that does just one task, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet. robot vacuum cleaner cheap excels on tile floors, hardwood floors carpets, and carpets with low pile. It was also very effective in removing pet hair and litter.
A few robots with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation systems that fail to generate a coverage map and are more likely to get stuck on furniture or miss spots. While these robots can still clean your floors however, they're not as efficient and aren't capable of navigating around household obstacles.
Another option is the budget-friendly Shark IQ XL, which received high marks for its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not as sophisticated as the Combo J9+, but it is easy to use and works well on floors that are carpeted or bare. It's also lightweight and can be moved under furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is an ideal method to keep your home tidy, particularly when it is used by children or pets. It does require some attention to keep it in top condition. Making sure you are keeping up with routine cleaning tasks, such as emptying the trash bin washing or changing the filter, and wiping off cameras and sensors can prolong the lifespan of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than mopping robots, but you can prolong the life of your vacuum by following the instructions from the manufacturer for cleaning and emptying the dustbin, brush roll and filter. Clean the charging contacts of the robot and sensor with a damp rag to avoid them becoming clogged.
This model is a great choice when you're looking for a robust, intelligent robot that is also simple to use. It features a sleek slim design that allows it to slip underneath sofas and ottomans to nab hidden dirt. The app makes it simple to choose rooms and plan the cleaning schedule, as well as set no-go zones and adjust cleaning intensity.
This robot is a bit more expensive than the other models in this list, but it has many features which will make up for it. Its mapping is fast and it has the capacity to store four maps of your home in 3D or 2D. It's also among the quieter robots we tested, and its battery will last about three hours per charge.
The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum cleaner that performs well along walls. In our tests, it cleaned up to 1.3 inch away from the wall. This is higher than any other robots we test. It has many useful smart features, like spot-cleaning features and an auto-boost mode. It also makes use of random navigation, which means that it doesn't clean the same spots repeatedly.
This robot has one disadvantage it is that it cannot recognize floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by thick carpets and rugs. However, it's a great option when you live in a tiny apartment or a single-family house with narrow hallways and plenty of furniture.