How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you don't require advanced features like mapping, and don't mind emptying your dustbin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum is likely to be the
best robot vacuum under 200 choice suitable for you. Choose a model with a clean base and can work with voice assistants.
It is the best robo-vacuum we have tested in picking up dirt and pet hair on hardwood floors, tile, and carpets with low pile. It can also map out and create virtual no-go zones for rooms or certain areas.
1. Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum can assist you in keeping up with the pet fur, dust and dander that accumulates on your floor each day. It also can reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, saving you both time and effort. The best models come with powerful suction, which will clean up most mess with ease and leave your home clean.
You can cover more area with a robot vacuum and mop, which can be useful if you have an extensive home. You can find a model with a tank for water either integrated into the chassis or as an additional piece that you can take out after vacuuming. It'll need to be filled and empty and refilled, which is an additional task to complete.
In the ideal world, you'd be able to clean your floors prior to using your robot vacuum to prevent it from crashing into objects. However, in the majority of homes, this isn't feasible or desirable. Most models allow you to make use of an app on your smartphone to create virtual barriers the robot can observe. Some models have no-go zones which you can use to mark areas that you don't want it enter, such as kids rooms or a pile of device cords in the corner.
This model is a good choice if you want an easy robot cleaner that doesn't have all the bells. It is quiet, is able to work on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile and can be programmed through the app to vacuum and mop at your leisure. It's got a long battery life of up to 180 minutes.
2. Simple to operate
Robot vacuums typically require only minimal effort from you. They use instruments for navigation, such as sensors, lasers, and cameras to maneuver and collect pet hair, dust, and food crumbs from hard floors, tile and hardwood. Many models have boundaries strips that help them stay inside a room. The more expensive models can be programmed to start up at a certain time and start cleaning. Certain models come with fall detection technology to help them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.
If you're looking to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of a couch, look for models that work with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also choose Wi-Fi models that allow you to begin cleaning anywhere you want using an app. Depending on the size of your home is, you might prefer a model that has a long battery life and a large dust bin that doesn't require being regularly emptied.
Some robot vacuums can also be mopping. They use water reservoirs to wash the floor. This is great for mopping, but not for difficult messes such as pet poop and other wet spills. You can find hybrids with a removable microfiber pad for mopping, or choose a self-emptying model that lets you use the device for 30 to 60 days without having to empty the base.
3. Smart Mapping
Some robots employ advanced mapping technology to create a precise map while they clean. This helps them avoid bumping into furniture and tripping on cords or chairs. This feature is typically only available on higher-end models, but it's certainly one of the most effective ways to ensure your robot has a full understanding of the layout of your home and can determine where to go when it's low on battery.
If you do not want your robot to go into areas of your home you'd prefer it to stay clear from (like your kids' toys or the mess of device cords in the corner) The majority of robots offer the possibility of creating virtual barriers, either via their app or physical boundary strips. This allows you to block off zones that you do not want your robot to explore, so that it can focus its attention on rooms and spaces that need the most cleaning.
Many robots also automatically change floors based on the flooring they are cleaning. This can be done by changing from carpet to hard flooring or by focusing on specific areas of your house, such as corners and baseboards. In our tests it was a great feature that helped improve their pick-up scores for both carpeting made of low-pile or hardwood. It's important to tuck away any loose cords or furniture prior to using your robot vacuum, so that it doesn't become caught.
4. Remote Control
Most robot vacuums come with WiFi capabilities and can be controlled using voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many connect to smart home systems that create an outline of your space after each cleaning session, so that they can "learn" your layout and devise more efficient routes for future trips. Some have built-in obstacle avoidance that prevents them from crashing into furniture and causing damage or getting stuck on things like charging cables that are loose or shoe laces, as well as pet hair.
Most robots come with a remote you can use to pilot them around your home. However, many can be controlled using a mobile app that comes with additional features. You can set up multiple cleaning schedules, and create a list with your favorite rooms. You can also manually guide the robot by using direction the arrows.
Certain models have zones that are not allowed. These are virtual barriers you can create within the app to block the robot from accessing certain areas (like toys for kids or dog beds and dishes). Certain apps let you create an outline of your home and provide detailed information about the floors. The app on our top choice, the Roborock S7+, has numerous options to help you tidy your home, but its interface isn't as polished as those from iRobot and Shark.
5. Long Battery Life
Robot vacuums that clean your entire home without stopping to recharge or to empty their dustbins save time and effort. Some robot vacuums are compatible with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to enable hands-free operation. They can also create a map of your home that allows you to program them to clean specific areas or rooms and beware of obstacles.
Most robot vacuums offer some degree of object detection however, higher-end models like the iRobot J7 have advanced features such as "home mapping" and
most powerful robot vacuum advanced obstacle avoidance, which can make your life easier (although our test bot did once "eat" the socks of a pair). socks). If you're trying to improve your home's maintenance, consider a robot mop with a water container that can be filled and then empty.
While none of the models we tested can compete with the power of a stand-up vacuum the majority of them do an excellent job of cleaning hard floors and low-pile carpets. They excel at sweeping up fine dirt, food crumbs, and dirt that has been tracked in. They can also handle nuts and screws made of metal, as well as the stray cat litter. The most powerful robot vacuum (
oq-Ayiq.Net) effective robot vacuums can clean corners and edges and can work on furniture. For an affordable model that can work on its own and is reasonably priced take a look at the Eufy 11S.
6. Convenient Self-Charging
A robot vacuum can help keep your home tidy and clean without having to do lots of work. You can schedule cleanings in the app and set up zones that are not allowed to enter so that your robot doesn't damage your plants or your favorite chair. Many of our top picks will empty their dustbins for you and clean their docking station.