How to Choose the Best Robot Cleaner for Your Home

You'll need to do some work in order to keep your robot's home in order. This includes clearing out the clutter, removing loose cords and rug rugs that are tangled.

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

Features

Based on your needs for your home, you can choose an automated cleaner that has advanced features. Some models are designed to plan your home and create floor plans, whereas others have an integrated camera that can provide live video feeds of your space. These cameras can also be used to spot issues and assist in problem-solving. Some robots have a feature where you can program cleaning sessions or change the frequency.

If you want a robot that can both vacuum and mop, look for one with a self-emptying dustbin. The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro is one of the top choices we've tried because it offers both features for a low price. It features a suction opening similar to upright vacuums. This makes it able to get rid of debris faster than other robots. It uses side brushes with 3 bristles that help to push hair and dirt into the path of the robot. This model is among the best of its kind due to a variety of reasons including its mopping capabilities as well as its efficient navigation and low price.

The best-performing robovacs have large dust bins that can go months without needing to be emptied. The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an excellent example of a top-quality robot that has a self-emptying dust bin and clever features that allow for a hands-free experience. It has a small mopping pad which scrubs dirt off and is able to glide over light mats and rugs that cause problems for other robots. Sensors help identify dirtier areas and it can mop and vacuum at the same time which makes it ideal for a clean home.

Eufy Clean X10, with its easy-to-use app is another excellent choice. Its customization options are simple and quick to set up. Its lidar mapping is fast and accurate. It also divides rooms easily to ensure a thorough cleaning. It's got great technology to avoid objects, which sucks up Cheerios and dodges fake dog poop. However, it had some issues with stairs. Its square front design, however, allowed it to navigate around corners more effectively than most of the other robots we've tested. It can also edge-hug, which makes it easier to sweep along baseboards easily.

Cleaning performance

Robots are not as effective as vacuums when it comes to cleaning carpets from deep within and cleaning up dirt that has been buried. However, they are able to pick up fine particles such as dust and baking soda as well as larger debris such as screws made of metal and pet fur. They also clean up spills and crumbs. Keeping up with routine maintenance, like emptying the trash bin cleaning or replacing the filter, and cleaning sensors and cameras can help you enjoy the longest possible life span from your robot.

The most effective robots are adept in removing fine particles from hard floors and low pile carpets. They're also good at removing orzo sand, and wood shavings. They can also take cat litter and metal screws, though they tend to struggle with heavier items such as coffee grounds or baked flour. They are less impressive when climbing stairs, and don't always grab everything in the corners.

Some models are great at mopping as well. The iRoborock Roomba 900 is one of them, and it does a great job getting rid of coffee spills and other liquids as well as dried-on or sticky food debris from hardwood. The robot's smart spot and area cleaning options let you set up the area it is to focus on. This way, the robot won't spend its time cleaning areas that are already clean. The Dreame X40 also does a good job of mopping but it has a distinct advantage over the Roborock. It can vacuum first and afterwards mop to clean up spills and stains that are on high-pile rug.

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a top mopping robot. It's more expensive than Roomba however it has superior suction. It also has the ability to handle a greater variety of flooring types and textures. It is also able to return to the charging station once it's out of water, allowing it to continue cleaning where it started. The app comes with a lot of other conveniences as well, including a feature that automatically schedules regular cleaning sessions. And it's extremely quiet, making it a good option for homes with children or pets.

Cost

The best robot cleaners work well for a reasonable cost and a lot of them have clever features that can help you save money over the long term. Take into consideration the amount you'll need for the vacuum cleaner and mop to ensure you get the best bang for your money. Some models include additional features that you may not need, but may be useful, such as an automatic emptying bin or efficient navigation.

A model that is able to do both mops and vacuums is the most economical option. It's important to note that a robot vacuum is only as good as the dirt it sifts up, so it's not recommended to skip regular manual vacuuming in favour of using a robot vacuum.

You can expect to spend around $500 on a robot that does both vacuuming and mopping, like the iRobot Combo j9+. This robot scored excellent marks in the tests conducted by CR and is able to clean both bare floors and carpets. It has a simple application that lets you view its cleaning route and set no-go areas. Jaclyn Turner discovered that the mopping function could use improvement, as it is based on a dragging system using light pressure instead of the actual scrubbing.

If you're looking to save money, you can get a good deal on a robot vacuum that is highly rated and only does one thing, such as the Eufy 11S. Its slim design is sleek and quiet. It also excels on hardwood floors, tile carpets, and carpets with low pile. It also proved very efficient in removing pet hair, litter, and other particles.

Some robotics that are budget-friendly have basic bump navigation, but it doesn't create an outline of coverage and is more likely to be caught on furniture or miss specific spots. These robots can still 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 model which has received top marks for its cleaning capabilities and price-to-value ratio. It's not as sophisticated as the Combo j9+, but it's user-friendly and does an excellent job on both bare floors and carpets. It's also light and can be moved under furniture without getting caught.

Maintenance

A robot vacuum cleaner can be an excellent option to keep your home in order, especially when it is used by children or pets. It will require some attention to keep it in top condition. Regular cleaning, such as emptying the dust bins, washing or changing filters and wiping cameras and sensors can prolong the life of your robot.

Vacuums need more frequent maintenance than mopping robots. However, you can extend the life of your vacuum by following the manufacturer's guidelines for emptying and cleaning the dustbin, brush roll and filter. Clean the robot's charging contacts and sensor with a damp rag to avoid them becoming blocked.

This model is a great choice to find an efficient, durable robot that's also easy to use. It features a sleek ultra-slim design that enables it to slip under sofas and ottomans to find hidden dirt. The app allows you to pick rooms and schedule cleaning as well as set no-go zones and alter cleaning intensity.

This robot is a bit more expensive than the other models in this list, but it comes with 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 3D or 2D. It's also one of the quieter robots we tested, and its battery can last for around three hours per charge.

The Romba 11s is a versatile vacuum that has a remarkable performance on walls. It cleaned up to 1.3 inches away from the wall in our tests, which is far more than any other vacuum we tried. It has a number of useful smart features, like spot-cleaning features and an auto-boost mode. It employs random navigation to ensure that it doesn't scrub the same spots repeatedly.

The only downside to this robot is that it doesn't have the ability to detect bare floors and can be confused by thick carpets or rug. But it's a great choice when you live in a tiny home or apartment with narrow hallways and plenty of furniture.