How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home
You'll have to put some effort into your robot's home maintenance. This means clearing out debris, tangled rugs, and loose cords.
Choose a model that has a self-emptying container. This makes it easier to clean up spills and mess. You may want an all-in-one vacuum and mop.
Here are some examples of
Based on your needs for your home depending on your home's needs, you can select the best robot cleaner with advanced features. 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 obstructions and assist in problem solving. Some robots have an option to schedule cleaning sessions or adjust the frequency.
Find a robot that has an auto-emptying dustbin in case you'd like it to be able to vacuum and mop. 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 has side brushes with three bristles to push hair and dirt into the robot's path. This model is the top of its kind for many reasons including its mopping capabilities as well as its efficient navigation and the low cost.
The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. The Narwal Freo X Ultra, a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner that has self-emptying dustbins and smart features that offer hands-free cleaning, is a great example. It comes with a tiny mopping mat that removes dirt that is stuck to the floor. It can also glide across mats and rug that are too lightweight for other robots. Sensors help identify areas that are more prone to dirt and it can mop and vacuum at the same time, making it perfect for a clean home.
The Eufy Clean X10 is another popular choice, and the app comes with a simple interface which makes setting up customized options easy and straightforward. The lidar-powered mapping it uses is fast and precise and it is able to divide rooms to ensure a thorough cleaning. It has a fantastic anti-object system that can consume Cheerios and even dodge fake dog poop. However, it experienced some issues with stairs. The square-front design of the robot helped it to get into corners better than most other robots that we've tested. It can also edge-hug, which allows it to easily sweep across baseboards.
Cleaning performance
While robots can't get deep into carpets or sweep up dirt that has been ground in, as a real vacuum cleaner, they do an impressive job of picking up fine particles like baking soda and dust, as well as heavier debris such as pet hair and screws made of metal. They also can sweep up crumbs and spills. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning or replacing the filter, and cleaning sensors and cameras can help you enjoy the longest possible life span from your robot.
The best robots are great at picking up fine particles from hard floors and low pile carpets. They're also good in removing orzo, sand and wood shavings. They are able to pick up metal screws and cat litter, however they struggle with slower items like coffee grounds or baked flour. They are less impressive when climbing stairs, and they do not always grab everything that is around the edges.
A few models excel at mopping 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 and other liquids as well as dried or sticky food spills. The robot's smart spot and area cleaning modes allow you to set up an area for it to concentrate on. This means that the robot won't waste its time vacuuming areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a good mopping job however it has an advantage over the Roborock. It can first vacuum and afterwards mop to clean up staining and spills on high pile rugs.
Another top mopping machine is the Dyson V8 Absolute. It's more expensive than Roomba but has a superior suction. It can also handle a wider variety of floor types and textures. It also returns to the charging station once it's out of water, allowing it to continue cleaning the area where it left off. Its app offers lots of other features as well with the ability to schedule periodic cleaning sessions. It's also quiet, which makes 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 smart features that can help you save money in the long run. You'll need to think about the cost of mop and vacuum to get the best value for your money. Some models include additional features you might not need, but may be useful, such as the self-emptying bin or effective navigation.
The most cost-effective option is to invest in one that is able to do both mops as well as vacuums. It is crucial to keep in mind that a robot cleaner can only be as good as the dirt they pick up.
Spending $500 on a robot capable of both vacuuming and mopping is not unreasonable. A good example is the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot received excellent scores in CR's tests and can clean both bare floors and carpets. It has a simple app which allows you to see its cleaning route, and set no-go areas. Jaclyn Turner found that the mopping functionality could be improved since it is based on a dragging system with a light pressure, rather than true scrub.
If you're budget-conscious it's possible to find a bargain for an electric vacuum that is highly rated and only does one thing, like the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet. It also excels on tile floors, hardwood floors, and low-pile carpets. It was also extremely effective at picking up pet hair, litter, and other particles.
A few robotics with a budget-friendly price tag have basic bump navigation, but it doesn't create a map of coverage and is more likely to be caught on furniture or miss certain areas. These robots can still clean your floors, but they are not as efficient or are able to navigate around household obstacles.
Another option is the less expensive Shark IQ XL, which received high marks for its cleaning efficiency and price-to-value ratio. It's not as efficient as the Combo J9+, however it is simple to use and performs well on carpets and bare floors. It's also fairly lightweight and can be moved underneath furniture without getting stuck.
Maintenance
A robot cleaner is an excellent way to keep your home tidy, especially if you have children or pets. However, it needs some maintenance to stay in top shape. Regular cleaning, for example, emptying dust bins, washing or changing filters and wiping sensors and cameras, can extend the life span of your robot.
Vacuums require more frequent maintenance than mopping robots, however you can extend the life of your vacuum by following the guidelines from the manufacturer on cleaning and emptying the dustbin, brush roll and filter. You should also wipe down the robot's sensor and charging contacts with a damp cloth to prevent them from getting clogged by dirt.
This model is a great choice when you're looking for an efficient, durable robot that's also easy to use. It has a sleek, ultra-slim design that allows 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 level of cleaning.
This model is a little more expensive than the other models on this list, but it has numerous features that can make up for the cost. Its mapping is fast and it has the capacity to store four maps of your home in 2D or 3D. It's also one of the quieter robots we tested and its battery lasts about three hours on charge.
The Romba 11s is an extremely versatile vacuum cleaner that can work well along walls. It was able to clean up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is far more than any other robot we tested. It comes with a variety of smart features, including a spot-cleaning feature and an automatic boost mode. It also uses random navigation, which means that it doesn't re-clean the same spots repeatedly.
The only issue with this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to recognize bare floors and can be confused by large carpets or rugs. It's ideal for apartments with small spaces or single-family homes with narrow hallways, lots of furniture and narrow hallways.