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Robot vacuum cleaners have come a long way in the past few years. They used to be just a novelty, but now the technology has advanced enough to the point that some models can rival manual cleaning.
They’ve also diversified in price point and feature sets, so you can zero in on one that suits your needs. The problem is that the Internet is flooded with choices from companies you may have never heard of.
I’ve been testing and researching robot vacuums since 2013, and I’m going to share what my experience has shown me makes a good robot vacuum. Choosing the right model involves ensuring it can clean the types of messes you have, navigate your home easily, and has the right extra features.
How to Choose the Right Robot Vacuum
Type
For the sake of keeping the taxonomy simple, I’m going to divide robot vacuums into two categories: vacuum-only and vacuum-mop hybrids.
When it comes to models that are vacuum-only, they tend to be more affordable and—unless you’re willing to pay top-end prices—better at cleaning hair and debris. Vacuum-mop hybrids range from having a simple microfiber cloth to spinning mop pads.
Choosing between the two types is all about what types of floors you have in your home. Obviously, if you have wall-to-wall carpets, you should go for a vacuum-only model. However, you also might want to shy away from a hybrid model if you have a thick throw rug or mats in your bathroom.
Many entry-level hybrid models will drag their wet mop pads when transitioning from bare floors to carpeted surfaces. Higher-end brands engineer their models to lift their mop pads in some fashion when they detect carpet. The downside is that you’ll have to pay a premium for this feature.
Dock Features
The next thing you’ll want to consider is the dock features. For the vast majority of robot vacuum cleaners, the dock is just a place for the unit to charge and serve as a starting location for navigation. As you move up the price ladder, the dock becomes a major selling point.
In my opinion, a dock with a self-emptying feature provides the best value. These docks contain a secondary vacuum that suctions out the dirt bins in the robot and places the contents either in a separate bin within the dock or, better yet, a bag that seals. If you get one that places the contents into a bag, then you won’t need to smell, touch, or see anything unpleasant when throwing away the dirt. It also adds a bit of hygiene because the bag prevents dust plumes that reintroduce allergens back into your home.
A step up from the self-emptying feature are docks that can clean mop pads and refill water tanks. The inside of the dock will contain a clean and dirty water tank that needs to be topped off and emptied, respectively. Some of these hybrid model docks also have a self-emptying feature.
The most robust docks I’ve ever tested had all of the above, plus storage. They could store things like extra bags, filters, and even a place to charge an included cordless vacuum. The end result is a cleaning center, a place where all your vacuum needs can be found.
The downside is that as you increase the number of features a dock has, you also increase its footprint. A very simplistic dock can fit in the palm of your hand. A cleaning center can easily take up a 250-square-centimeter space or several square feet. They can also be quite tall, coming up to your knee. So, if you’re planning on getting a dock that can do everything, be aware that you’ll need to put in some thought on where it’ll live in your home.
Navigation
Many robot vacuum cleaners employ multiple technologies to find their way around your home. To navigate around obstacles, they can employ LiDAR, vSLAM, and visual.
In addition to sensors to navigate rooms, robot vacuums can also utilize sonic and inferred sensors to identify what types of surfaces they are cleaning. This helps hybrid models shift between mopping and vacuuming and adjusts the suction on vacuum-only models. These sensors can also be employed to ensure the robot doesn’t run off a cliff.
So what should you get? I think if you have a lot of pets and kids, investing in a robot vacuum cleaner that uses visual navigation is a good call. They can avoid things like pet accidents, socks left on the floor, and power cables. Basically, they’re good at adjusting to chaos.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re just looking to dip your toe in the water and trying to figure out if a robot vacuum is right for your lifestyle, a cheaper vSLAM model is the way to go. They’re affordable and reliable for testing out if you love or hate having a robot vacuum underfoot.
Smart features
The biggest difference in the way you interact with a robot vacuum versus a conventional one comes down to the smart features.
The most bare-bones app will allow you to start, stop, and schedule your robot via your smartphone. It might not sound like much, but imagine you’re at work and you find out last-minute that you have guests coming over. If your robot vacuum has connectivity, you can activate it from anywhere you have a signal and tell it to give your home a once-over before you get home.
Beyond just activating a robot vacuum, smart features have evolved to cover a whole host of use cases. For example, there are robot vacuums with cameras that can stream what they “see” to your phone. When you combine that with a remote control feature, you can now have a mobile security camera. Some of them even have speakers and microphones so you can tell your dog to get off the couch.
It’s important to read through what smart features a potential robot vacuum comes with, including not having them at all.
Suction Rating
Robot vacuum suction is usually depicted using pascals, denoted as pa. When you see a robot vacuum that is advertised as having 5,000 pa of suction, that translates to about .5% of the pressure bearing down on you from the atmosphere right now. It’s relatively high for a robot vacuum, but low in the grand scheme of things.
Navigation matters more than suction. As I always say, a robot vacuum can’t clean where its brushes have never been.
Robot Vacuum Cleaner Brands & What to Expect
iRobot
iRobot is synonymous with robot vacuums. In my experience, whether you’re purchasing their affordable or high-end models, the quality is there.
Even entry-level models have some top-notch features like a dock that auto-empties the robot’s dust bin and smart mapping, so you can tell the robot to focus on or avoid certain areas.
On the higher end, you’re going to get a robot that can also mop and one with visual navigation. Visual navigation is the cutting edge for robot vacuums because it allows the unit to recognize and avoid common obstacles like socks and power cables.
However, in my experience testing iRobots, if you want your robot to clean in and around furniture, get the more affordable models. The better the navigation, the more likely the robot will shy away from tight spaces to prevent getting stuck. Just be aware of that trade-off.
I like the fact that iRobot has stood the test of time and has given good customer service the whole time.
Eufy
Eufy is a spin-off company of electronic manufacturer Anker. It specializes in making affordable home goods. Eufy’s entry-level models have good suction and a low profile that allows it to get under shelves and furniture easily.
Over the years, Eufy has closely followed what its competitors have done. When a feature works well, the next model of Eufy has its own spin on it. For example, when iRobot and Ecovacs started using visual navigation, Eufy eventually came out with its own version, which used similar technology.
I like the fact that Eufy is almost exclusively sold on Amazon, so there are constant sales.
Ecovacs
Ecovacs makes some of the best smart robot vacuums on the market. The company makes models that can stream what they see to your phone. There are models with docks that wash the mop pads. If you’re looking for the Swiss-Army knife of the robot vacuum world, you should check out the Ecovacs brand.
The major downside is that stuffing a robot vacuum cleaner with every feature makes them more expensive.
I admire the fact that Ecovacs never seems stagnant. The company is always trying something new. That does mean that sometimes the models go out of stock prematurely in favor of new flagships.
Common Mistakes When Purchasing a Robot Vacuum
Expecting a cleaning miracle
Some people buy a robot vacuum expecting it to 100 percent replace their manual one. While this is possible, it requires work on your part. For example, you need to run the robot vacuum every day and make sure your floorspace is as clear as possible.
Robot vacuums today are still no match for elbow grease. And there’s always a chance of getting a really expensive model and finding out your pet hates it
I’m a big advocate for buying a cheaper model and testing to see if it works with your lifestyle. Your cat or dog might hate the noise or movement. You should make sure before investing in an expensive model.
Not performing regular maintenance
While a robot vacuum is automated, it still needs a helping hand once in a while. This can be everything from emptying the dust bin or bag and wiping down the sensors. Keeping up with proper maintenance will greatly increase the unit’s longevity.
Not taking advantage of all the features
A lot of robot vacuums come with extra features like a streaming camera or a self-emptying system. If you’re paying for it, you should use them to get the full value out of your robot.