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 clearing out the clutter, removing loose cords and rug rugs that are tangled.

Find a model that has self-emptying bins. This will make it easier to clean up spills and mess. You may want a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop.

Features

Based on the needs of your home You can pick a robot cleaner with intelligent features. Certain models can map your home to create floor plans, while some have an integrated camera that displays live video feeds. These cameras can be used to spot obstructions and assist with problem solving. Some robots have a feature that lets you plan cleaning sessions and alter the frequency.

Look for a robot with an auto-emptying dustbin if you want it to be able to mop and vacuum. Ecovacs Deebot Pro is one our top picks because it has both features at reasonable prices. It features a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This helps it pick up debris more efficiently than other robots. It also comes with side brushes that have three bristles to push hair and dirt into the robot's path. This model is the top robot vacuum cleaner in its class due to many reasons, including its effective mopping, navigation and low price.

The best automatic vacuum cleaner-performing robovacs have large dust bins that last for weeks without needing to be empty. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum cleaner with a self emptying dustbin and intelligent features that allow for hands-free cleaning, is a great example. It comes with a small mopping mat that removes dirt that has been 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 to keep your home tidy.

The Eufy Clean X10 is another top choice, and its app comes with a simple interface that makes setting up customization options simple and quick. Its lidar-powered mapping is quick and precise, and it easily divides rooms for a thorough clean. It is equipped with excellent object avoidance technology that sucks up Cheerios and evades fake dog poop. However, it struggled with stairs. Its square-front design allowed it to maneuver around corners more efficiently than the majority of robots we've tested. It can also edge-hug, which allows it to sweep along baseboards easily.

Cleaning performance

Robots are not as effective as vacuums when it comes to cleaning deep into carpets and cleaning up dirt that has been buried. However, they are able to collect small particles like baking soda and dust as well as heavier debris like metal screws and pet fur. They can also clean up crumbs and spills. Maintaining your robot with regular maintenance like emptying the dustbin, robot cleaner cleaning or changing the filter and cleaning the cameras and sensors will ensure that it will last for the longest time possible.

The best robots are excellent at removing fine particles from hard carpets and floors with low pile. They're also good at removing orzo sand, and wood shavings. They can even pick up cat litter and screws made of metal, though they tend to struggle with heavier items such as baked flour or coffee grounds. They're less impressive when climbing stairs, and they don't always grab everything around the furniture's edges.

A few models excel at mopping also. The iRoborock Roomba 900, for example is a model that does excellent job cleaning hardwood flooring. It is able to remove coffee spills, liquids, and dry or sticky food messes. The robot's smart spot and area cleaning options allow you to create the area it is to concentrate on. This means that the robot won't waste its time vacuuming areas which are already clean. The Dreame X40 is another bot that does a good job of mopping. It has a distinct advantage over the Roborock that is the ability to vacuum first and then mop is a great way of cleaning up spills on high-pile rug.

Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than Roomba however it has superior suction. It also has the ability to handle a wider range of floor types and textures. It's also able to return to the charging dock if it's running low on water and resume cleaning from the point it began. The app provides a variety of other perks, too, including the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, which makes it a perfect choice for homes that have 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. You'll want to consider the cost of a vacuum and a mop to get the best value for your money. Certain models come with additional features that you may not need, but may 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 as well as vacuums. It's important to keep in mind that robot vacuums are only as effective as the dirt it sifts up, so it's not recommended to avoid manual vacuuming to make room for using your robot cleaner.

It is possible to pay around $500 on a robot that does both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot received excellent scores in the tests conducted by CR and is able to clean bare floors as well as carpets. It also has an intuitive application that lets you see its cleaning route and define zones that are not allowed to be used. Jaclyn found that the mopping feature could be improved since it relies on gentle pressure and a dragging movement rather than scratching.

If you're looking to save money you can find a great deal for robot vacuums that are highly rated and only does one thing, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim and quiet design was great at cleaning tiles, hardwood floors, and low pile carpets. It was also very effective in removing pet hair, litter, and other particles.

Some robots that are budget-friendly 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 are able to navigate around obstacles in your home.

Shark IQ XL is another option. It's a budget-friendly device which has received top marks for its cleaning performance and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo j9+, however it's user-friendly and does an excellent job on both floors that are unfinished and carpets. It's also relatively lightweight and can be moved under furniture without getting caught.

Maintenance

A robot cleaner is a great method to keep your home tidy, especially if you have pets or children. It does require some maintenance in order to keep it in good condition. Keeping up with regular cleaning tasks, such as emptying the trash bin and washing or replacing the filter, and wiping down cameras and sensors can extend the life of your robot.

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

This model from Eufy is a great option for those who want a sophisticated robust and durable robot that's simple to use. It features a sleek, ultra-slim design that allows it to slip underneath couches and ottomans in order to nab hidden dirt. The app makes it easy to select rooms and schedule cleaning as well as set no-go zones and alter cleaning intensity.

Although it's more expensive than other models on this list, this one comes with a variety of features that make up for the extra cost. Its mapping is fast, and it can store four maps of your home in 2D or 3D. It's also among the quieter robots we tested, and its battery can last for around three hours on a single charge.

The Romba 11s is a multi-functional vacuum with a stunningly high performance on walls. In our tests, it cleared up to 1.3 inches away from the wall. This is more than any other robots we test. It has many smart features including a spot cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It also uses random navigation, so it doesn't have to clean the same spots repeatedly.

The only issue with this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to detect the floor's nakedness and is confused by large carpets or rug. But it's a great choice for those who live in a small home or apartment with narrow hallways and plenty of furniture.