How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll need to perform some work in order to keep your robot's home in order. This means getting rid of debris, tangled rugs, and loose cords.

Select a model with a self-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills and messes. You might want to consider an all-in-one vacuum and mop.

Features

Depending on your home needs depending on your home's needs, you can select the best robot cleaner with advanced features. Some models are able to map your home's layout to create floor plans while others have an integrated camera that displays live video feeds. These cameras can be used to detect obstructions and assist with problem solving. Certain robots come with the ability to program cleaning sessions or change the frequency.

Find a robot that has an auto-emptying dustbin if you want it to to mop and vacuum. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is one the top options we've tested since it comes with both features for a low cost. It features a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This helps it remove debris more effectively than other robots. It also uses side brushes with three bristles to push hair and dirt into the path of the robot. This model is among the best of its kind for a variety reasons including its mopping capabilities as well as its efficient navigation and low price.

The most efficient robovacs have huge dust bins that can go several weeks without having to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dust bins and smart features that allow for a hands-free cleaning experience, is a great example. It comes with a tiny mopping mat that can remove dirt that has gotten stuck to the floor. It can also glide over mats and carpets that are too heavy for other robots. Its sensors can help you find the areas that are prone to dirt, and it is able to mop and vacuum at the same time which makes it ideal for keeping your home clean.

The Eufy Clean X10 is another popular choice, and the app comes with a simple interface that makes setting up customization options easy and straightforward. Its lidar mapping technology is fast and precise. It also divides rooms easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It has a great device for avoiding objects that can consume Cheerios and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it did have some issues with stairs. Its square-front design allowed it to maneuver around corners more easily than other robots that we've tested. It can also edge-hug, which allows it to effortlessly sweep along baseboards.

Cleaning performance

Robots aren't as effective as vacuums in cleaning deep into carpets and sweeping up dirt that has been buried. However, they can pick up fine particles like dust and baking soda as well as heavier debris like metal screws and pet fur. They can also clean 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 has the longest lifespan possible.

The most effective robots are capable of picking up fine particles from carpets with low pile and hard floors, and they're especially good at sweeping up orzo as well as wood shavings, sand and sand. They can even take cat litter and screws made of metal, though they tend to struggle with more sluggish items like baked flour or coffee grounds. They're not as impressive on stairs, and they aren't always able to grab everything in the corners.

Some models excel at mopping also. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for example is a model that does a great cleaning job on hardwood flooring. It can get rid of coffee spills and other liquids and dry or sticky food messes. Its intelligent spot and zone cleaning modes allow you to set up an area for the robot to focus on, so it doesn't take too long to vacuum areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a good job of mopping, but it has one advantage over the Roborock. It can first vacuum, and then mop to clean up spills and stains that are on high-pile rug.

Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than Roomba but it has superior suction. It also has the ability to handle a wider variety of flooring types and textures. It can also return to the charging station once it's out of water and continues cleaning the area where it started. Its app offers lots of other conveniences also such as an option to automatically schedule recurring cleaning sessions. It's also very quiet and a good option for homes with children or pets.

Cost

The best robot cleaners perform well at a low cost and many come with clever features that can help you save money in the long run. Consider how much you'll need for a vacuum cleaner and a mop in order to get the best bang for your money. Certain models come with additional features you might not require but could be useful, like an automatic emptying bin or efficient navigation.

It is recommended to invest in a model that does both mops and vacuums is the most cost-effective option. It is essential to remember that a robot cleaner will only be as good as the dirt they pick up.

It is possible to pay around $500 for a machine that does both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. It scored high in CR's testing and can clean carpets and bare floors. It has an intuitive application that allows you to view its cleaning route and set no-go areas. Jaclyn Turner discovered that the mopping feature could be improved since it is based on a dragging system using light pressure instead of the actual scrubbing.

However, if you're in a pinch you can still get a good deal on a top-rated robot vacuum that is able to do one task, like the Eufy 11S. Its sleek and quiet design was great in cleaning hardwood floors, tiles and carpets with low pile. It also did a great job when it came to picking up pet hair and litter.

A few robots with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation systems that don't provide a coverage map, and are more likely to become stuck on furniture or miss spots. These robots are still able clean your floors, but they're not as efficient or capable of navigate around obstacles in your home.

Another option 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+, however it's user-friendly and does a great job on both floors that are unfinished and carpets. It's also light and can be carried under furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance

A robot vacuum cleaner can be an ideal method to keep your home tidy, particularly in the case of children or pets. It requires some maintenance in order to keep it in prime condition. Keeping up with regular cleaning tasks like emptying the dust bin and washing or replacing the filter, and wiping off sensors and cameras can extend the life of your robot.

Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than robot mopping machines but you can prolong the life of your vacuum by making sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer for emptying and cleaning its dustbin, brush roller and filter. You should also wipe down the robot's sensor and charging contacts with a damp cloth to keep them from being clogged by dirt.

This model from Eufy is a great choice for those who want a sophisticated, durable robot that's easy to use. Its ultra-slim, sleek design lets it be placed under couches that are low and ottomans, allowing it to access dirt that's been hidden. The app lets you plan a cleaning schedule and choose rooms. You can also set up zones of no-go areas, and alter the intensity of cleaning.

Although it's a little more expensive than other models on this list, this robot offers a number of features to can make up for the cost. Its mapping is quick and it's able to save four maps of your house in 3-D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robots we tested and its battery lasts about three hours on charge.

The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with a stunningly high performance along walls. In our tests, it cleared up to 1.3 inch from the wall. This is higher than any other robots we tested. It has a number of clever features including a spot cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It uses random navigation so that it doesn't scrub the same spots over and over.

This robot has one drawback it is that it cannot recognize floors that aren't bare and is easily confused by thick carpets and rug. It's great for small apartments or homes that have narrow hallways as well as furniture that is a lot of narrow hallways.