What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum can help keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on daily bases. Many of them use apps to allow you to schedule cleaning sessions and create virtual boundaries, or 'walls' to keep them from areas you don't want cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a map of your home with its first run, storing your space for future use. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically emptys, as well as a self-cleaning, brush roll.

Object Detection

When you are choosing a robotic vacuum, look for one that is able to pick up large items, like toys and lamp cords, and also fine dirt. This will help ensure they don't get snarled in the roller brush, and don't end up on your floors. This is especially crucial if your robot is going to be cleaned regularly by children or pets.

A model with an engine that is powerful and lots of suction is also a good choice. This will make it more efficient in removing pet hair, lint and dust from your hardwood and carpet floors.

Another factor to consider is the size of your room. If you have an area that is large you might want to pick one that has multiple cleaning zones so that you can clean your entire house in one go. Certain models also include mopping capabilities that can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums last a long time, but they'll need to be maintained regularly and in a proper manner. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust container and wiping the sensors clean regularly will ensure that your best robot vacuum under 200 is running smoothly for years to be. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have had the same machine for a decade or more (and changed motors, brushes and batteries in the process).

A basic robot will cost you less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, but they'll still do an excellent job of keeping up with dirt and pet hair and lint. You can use them to sweep your floors multiple times per day. The downside is they don't offer as much smart technology, and can be prone to becoming stuck or needing human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The best cheap robot vacuum and mop best value robot vacuum and mop vacs use sensors, lasers or cameras to help them navigate your home without getting stuck or falling down the stairs. They are also able to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs and cords, and some models can automatically return to their base or dock when they are running low on power. The most expensive models usually come with mapping capabilities that permit them to memorize the arrangement of your home, and reduce the amount of time you're running into walls.

There is no need to spend lots of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. There are models that do a great job at picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces like tiles, wood and low-pile rug. They can also do a decent job of removing larger debris such as metal screws, rusty staples or abandoned toys. Some models come with an automatic base that drains itself, which is great when you don't need to empty it at the end of each cleaning session.

Most robotic vacs also offer advanced features that make your regular stick vacuum appear ancient with features like scheduling, zone targeting, and the ability to control them with an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. You can also design cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't want the robot to enter.

Some robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S or my former top pick, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology to stop them from falling over cords or furniture. Others, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more advanced AI obstacle avoidance that uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid objects like lamp cords, shoes, socks and pet waste. It's more expensive than other bots I've tested, however, it did a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles in my home and rarely got stuck or derailment when I was working on my floors.

The iRobot J7+ was a fantastic obstacle avoidance robot however it didn't always do a good job in avoiding crumbs or dirt on my rugs. It also was prone to over-vacuum certain areas which resulted in dust accumulating in the filters, and a less clean house.

Smart Mapping

Some of the top robot vacuums include an app that lets you alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and see a map of the floor area covered by the machine. This is a great feature that many competitors don't have. This allows you to create profiles that automatically start your robot at specified times and keep it running on regularly, for example, cleaning the living room before dinner or every other day.

A good app will also let you control your robot with voice commands. Some models support Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free, so you can say "start with a clean" or "change cleaning mode" without having to use the app.

Look for models with a large dustbin. This will allow you to perform many cleaning sessions without needing empty it. There are models that self-empty, eliminating the need to empty the robot after each vacuuming session.

If you want a robot capable of doing more than simply vacuum, you'll need to consider the possibility of a model that can mop your floors. They are typically larger than robotic vacuums, and include a tank of water that can store multiple cleaning sessions worth of dust and dirt before having to be emptied.

The most advanced robots generate their own maps of your home. They can even keep track of the arrangement from one cleaning to another, which helps them avoid getting lost or stuck in corners. This can make a significant difference in how efficiently your robot vacuums because it won't be spending time going back to the beginning of the room whenever it encounters furniture or walls.

Our test participants found that the robots that had this feature were very efficient. They could watch TV or complete other tasks while the robot was cleaning. Some models employ laser navigation, and can create an exact map of your entire home, meaning you can program them to clean only the bedroom after dinner or every room in your home when you're at work.

App Control

It's Best Robot Mop For Large Areas to choose a robot that has an app that is mobile in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and choose cleaning mode. Through the app, you can examine the status of your vacuum and its dust bin. Some of the most effective robot vacuums can even be controlled via voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.

A robot with a self-emptying bin and washable filters is simple to keep clean, especially if you can easily access the filter and remove it to rinse it. Another great feature is a powerful brush that can be found in corners and along baseboards which makes it easier to get rid of dirt and hair. Certain robots are better at avoiding chair leg than others. Others come with a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to prevent clogging.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools to assist them in navigating around obstacles and to learn about your home. High-end models have sensors and cameras that detect obstacles such as furniture, stairs and cords. On the other hand, less expensive models often use boundary strips that you put on the floor to mark areas you don't want to leave. Avoidance of objects is particularly beneficial for families with young kids who scatter toys and socks all over the home. This allows your robot to gather these items instead of scattering.

We're seeing more robots that have mops, which are beneficial for those who have hard floors and need to clean them regularly. These robots have a reservoir of water built into their chassis or as a separate piece that can be swapped in when ready to mop. These robots might require refilling frequently, but are ideal for homes with hard floors that aren't cleaned easily with vacuums.

We've seen some impressive technology in these small robots and they're less expensive than you might imagine. You can find a quality one under $200, which does a decent job cleaning on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and rugs. You can schedule the robot to clean rooms on a regular basis and can be controlled remotely using the app or by pressing buttons on its side.