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The best robot vacuums
When it comes to household chores, we all enjoy doing certain tasks a little more than others. Cooking your favorite meal, for instance, is rewarding and enjoyable.
You get a feeling of achievement and the rewards are notable. If you have friends or family over, they’ll be commenting on how delightfully tasty your dish is. Cleaning the bathroom, however, is a little unpleasant, but still needs to be done. Sweeping and vacuuming the house falls into a fairly similar class.
It’s not noxious, but it’s not thrilling either. And you won’t have family members who visit and remark, “I see you vacuumed your house recently.” Luckily, inventors have found a way to automate this taxing chore. Enter robot vacuums.
These devices tackle the vacuuming chore, freeing you up to handle the more enjoyable tasks. Check out these amazing deals for top-rated robot vacuums on the market.
Why you should buy a robot vacuum
When you examine the costs of robot vacuums, you may start wondering whether they’re worth the investment.
Do they clean as efficiently as traditional vacuums? Yes, they do, and they do everything for you so you don’t have to lift a finger! Here are a couple of benefits you’ll get from investing in robot vacuums:
- They automate cleaning – this is a huge plus if you never have enough time to clean your home or if you just prefer to do other activities.
- They’re able to clean hard-to-reach spots – don’t want to keep kneeling and bending so you can clean those hard-to-reach areas? A robot vacuum is just what you need.
- Equipped with cutting-edge features – with features like scheduled cleaning, you can come back to a spotless home after a long day at work. Most robot vacuums also have app control, letting you activate some of the features remotely.
Ideal for keeping pet hair under control – if your pet is the kind who sheds all the time, cleaning up their hair and fur can be taxing. With a robot vacuum though, you can keep this under control by having the unit clean up your space regularly.
Best overall
Eufy by Anker RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum
The RoboVac 11S strikes an excellent balance between pricing and features. It’s affordable and yet it offers the most crucial features you’d want in a robot vacuum.
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Though robot vacuums have become more popular in the past few years, some are hesitant to buy them, citing price as the main reason. If you’re looking for one that hits the sweet spot between price and features, check out Eufy RoboVac 11S.
In terms of design, it resembles its previous iteration, the RoboVac 11. However, it’s a little darker and smaller with a height of just 2.8 inches. This enables it to maneuver easily under low-lying furniture.
The RoboVac 11S comes with a remote, which is what you’ll use to control its functions. While it works just as it should, some would have preferred that the vacuum cleaner be compatible with an app or have support for voice assistant technologies. If phone support and voice control aren’t deal-breakers, the RoboVac 11S is a worthy buy.
Best for pet hair
iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum
This robot vacuum is the best for picking up pet hair. It’s equipped with an exceptional cleaning mechanism that’s able to capture even the most stubborn debris.
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Pet hair adheres so tightly to upholstery and carpeting, making it difficult to vacuum. One robot vacuum that’s well suited for this application is the iRobot Roomba 675. It has a suction power of 600 Pa, which is powerful enough to remove pet hair.
Another area where this vacuum really shines is in its runtime. It can run for a whopping 90 minutes, making it possible to clean a large area without recharging.
That said, it’s important to note that Roomba 675 lacks the advanced navigation or mapping capabilities found in its sibling models.
So it’s not until it encounters an obstacle directly in front of it that it changes course. But even then, the robot vacuum cleans every square inch, being careful not to miss any spots.
Best WiFi Connected
Eufy by Anker RoboVac 30C Robot Vacuum
The RoboVac 30C robot vacuum employs one of the best smart technologies. It’s easy to sync to your home’s network, which then allows you to control it from the EufyHome app.
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Are you looking to invest in a robot vacuum that you can control remotely? If you are, the Eufy RoboVac 30C that supports WiFi connectivity is your best bet.
With a height of 2.8 inches, this bot will be able to maneuver easily under low furniture; cleaning spots that would otherwise be difficult to access.
Another aspect you’ll love about RoboVac 30C is that it supports different means of control. If you want to navigate it remotely, all you need to do is sync it to the Eufy app or a voice assistant tech like Amazon’s Alexa.
If you prefer the good-old traditional way of using a remote, the manufacturer has provided this gadget as well. That said, some might find the RoboVac 30C a little too pricey, and disappointing since it lacks mapping technology.
Best for thick carpets
iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum
The iRobot Roomba i3+ is particularly good at picking up dirt from thick rugs. This is thanks to its powerful suction and multi-functional brushes.
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The best robot vacuum for thick carpets should have features such as adjustable suction strength, and a lightweight design so that it’s easy to maneuver. One model that checks these boxes is the iRobot Roomba i3+.
It’s a particularly worthy investment for allergy sufferers as it blends a self-emptying dustbin with an advanced filtration system. The vacuum comes with a disposable trash bag that takes up to two months to fill up.
The Roomba i3+ patented dirt detect technology is another nice-to-have feature. What this does is that it scans your home, identifies the dirtiest areas and cleans these spots more thoroughly.
The only drawback is that this robot vacuum takes up a big chunk of space. With the 19-inch tall clean base tower, it’s not the kind that you can stash under your furniture.
Another thing you should brace yourself for is the noise it generates when you run the Clean Base. Thankfully, emptying this dustbin only takes about 14 seconds.
Best runtime
Roborock E4 Robot Vacuum
This robot vacuum is good at cleaning large and multi-level homes without requiring it to be recharged too often.
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While the majority of robot vacuums last for 1 ½ hours or less, the Roborock E4 boasts a runtime of 200 minutes. This means that it’s able to cover a huge chunk of space without having to go back to recharge first.
To add to this, it comes with a large 0.64L dustbin, minimizing the frequency to empty it every other time. Another aspect you’re sure to love about the E4 is its powerful suction. It has a suction power rating of 2,000 Pa, making it well-suited for cleaning both hard floors and carpeted areas.
For navigation, the manufacturer has equipped it with a dual gyroscope system. This causes the robot to move in a preprogrammed zigzag pattern, ensuring it covers the entire space. However, it does not have digital mapping that some buyers prefer.
Best vacuum and mop
Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum
The Roborock S6 delivers an unmatched dual-performance of vacuuming and mopping.
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If you don’t want to be engaged in the entire cleaning process, the Roborock S6 is the ultimate robot vacuum for you.
It’s a combo vacuum and wet mop in one, offering you a well-rounded cleaning performance. It’s designed to map your space as it cleans, and save the settings in the app for future reference. And thanks to the WiFi support, you’ll find scheduling cleanings in advance super easy.
It’s also revered for being ultra-quiet and a powerful suction that makes it possible to tackle the most difficult surfaces. That said, it’s one of the more expensive models, so be ready to shell out a few hundred dollars.
Best affordable
Yeedi K600 Robot Vacuum
The Yeedi K600 gives you a decent run time of up to 110 minutes. Even though this is not the best, it enables the bot to clean a fairly large space without having to go back for a recharge.
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Shopping for a robot vacuum on a shoestring budget? Yeedi has got you covered. Their K600 is one of the cheapest models on the market. Still, it sports many of the features you’d want in such an automated cleaning gadget.
For starters, it boasts a suction power of 1800Pa. This allows it to pick up all kinds of dirt, including pet hair. It also has a generous dustbin capacity of 0.6L.
The unit comes equipped with 2600 mAh batteries that offer a decent runtime of 110 minutes. And unlike the Roomba E5, the K600 operates more quietly.
Unfortunately, this robot vacuum doesn’t offer support for WiFi connectivity. It means you’ll have to control all its functions using the provided remote. It also lacks the capability to set up virtual barriers.
Best premium
Shark IQ Self-Empty Robot Vacuum
This robot vacuum features an advanced self-emptying bin that can hold dirt from 30 cleaning sessions.
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Are willing to spend a little extra to enjoy premium features of a robot vacuum? If you are, the Shark IQ is exactly what you need.
Its primary highlight is the fact that it offers a completely hands-off cleaning approach. This is thanks to its bagless base, designed to accommodate up to a month’s worth of dirt and debris.
Another thing you’re sure to love about this robot vacuum entails its navigation system. It spends the first few runs learning the layout of your home. Once it does, it creates a map, letting you select the specific areas or rooms to clean.
This bot also boasts WiFi connectivity and works with voice commands like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Shark IQ’s only fault is the fact that it’s a little too loud than other robot vacuums.
Best for hardwood floors
ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum
The ILIFE V3s Pro is particularly good at cleaning hardwood floors. Its brushes are designed to work gently on your flooring to prevent scratching.
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Without an underside brush roll, the iLife V3s Pro is the ultimate robot vacuum for homes with hardwood floors and minimal carpet.
This vacuum’s small height is one of its key highlights. At just 2.85 inches high, it can easily maneuver under low-lying furniture and clean every spot.
Moreover, the iLife V3s Pro boasts a decent battery life, lasting up to 100 minutes. It also operates very quietly, so you won’t have to worry that it will cause any distractions.
That said, this vacuum cleaner doesn’t support WiFi or app connectivity. Instead, it comes with a remote that lets you control functions, including scheduling cleaning. This means that if remote functioning is an essential feature to you, you may have to choose a different model.
Best for tile floors
iRobot Roomba E5 Robot Vacuum
The Roomba E5 is particularly good at cleaning hard surfaces like tile floors. It has ample suction power and can navigate easily on these surfaces.
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Looking for the perfect gadget to vacuum your tiled floors? You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better tool than the iRobot Roomba E5.
It’s one of iRobot’s mid-tier priced designs though it has many of the features present in its more expensive counterparts. For instance, it supports WiFi connectivity, enabling you to control it remotely from an app or using voice assistant tech.
But its most intriguing feature is its Power-Lifting mechanism that provides up to 5x more suction power. Factor in the dual multifunctional rubber brushes and you have a vacuum cleaner that can tackle any tiled flooring.
On the downside, the Roomba E5 is not the kind of robot vacuum that keeps things quiet. It’s quite loud so it’s better to schedule cleaning when you’re away.
What to look for in a good robot vacuum
There are a couple of features you should pay attention to when purchasing a robot vacuum, namely:
Function
Some robot vacuums are designed to take care of all your cleaning needs, that is, to vacuum and mop the floor simultaneously. This saves you a significant amount of time, and enables you to get maximum value from your investment.
If you want a completely hands-off approach to cleaning, then be sure to invest in such a multipurpose tool. But if you prefer to mop the floor yourself, then go for one that only offers vacuuming capabilities.
Sensors
When checking the vacuum’s function, check whether it has sensors as well.
Here’s the deal, rarely will a room/space be completely vacant. Similarly, your house may have some floors that aren’t completely even.
It is where a robot vacuum’s sensors come in handy. They detect the layout of the space, thus, enabling it to navigate smoothly without hitting any obstacles in its path. Some vacuums can even detect the presence of a stairway, which is crucial to keeping your cleaning gadget in one piece.
Filtration
This is one of the most important features to consider anytime you’re buying a vacuum- robotic or not. This is because vacuum filters aren’t created equal, and some work better than others.
The best filtration system is one that’s able to capture all types of debris- dander, pet hair, and dust- and then safely transmit these particles into the bin. This way, you don’t have to worry about your robot vacuum getting clogged up in the middle of a cleaning session.
In that regard, you’ll want to opt for a robot vacuum equipped with HEPA filters rather than standard filters. The HEPA filters are able to capture 99.97% of all the allergens, and this includes airborne particles that may be as small as 0.3 microns.
Battery life
Your decision on the vacuum’s battery life should be based on how big your apartment or home is.
Most robot vacuums are designed to operate for 60 to 70 minutes without being recharged. This is more than enough runtime to tackle a small- to medium-sized home.
But if you’re looking to use it on a much bigger space, then look for one that offers at least 90 minutes of runtime without having to be docked.
Noise level
Mopping floors is not a task that generates a lot of noise. But vacuuming is an entirely different animal.
Based on the cleaning mode you’ve set and the unit’s suction power, the robot vacuum may turn out to be quite loud when it’s working. If you have pets or toddlers who nap during the day, you may have to reschedule your cleaning. Alternatively, configure the bot to run when no one is at home.
Cleaning & maintenance of robot vacuums
While robot vacuums do a good job of automating floor cleaning, they still need to be maintained in one way or another. Here’s a list of things you’ll need to do to keep your unit in pristine condition:
Empty its bin
The frequency of emptying the dustbin will depend on two things: how dirty your floor is, and capacity of the bin itself.
If you own several pets, you may have to empty the bin every 2 days or so to prevent it from getting clogged with pet dander. But if you don’t own pets and only clean twice or thrice a week, you can get away with emptying the bin just one time in a week.
In terms of capacity, some models -like the Shark IQ- come with dustbins that can hold up to a month’s worth of dirt.
Clean the filter
You’ll want to remove and clean the filter on a weekly basis. This is because the filter plays a big role in determining how effectively the bot works. If it’s dirty, then it won’t be able to trap dirt or allergens, rendering the vacuum cleaner inefficient.
Clean the wheels, brushes, sensors & charging contacts
These are some of the most neglected components of a robot vacuum. But it’s important to clean them every once in a while to ensure the bot works as it should.
Preferably, perform this thorough cleaning at least once every four weeks. This will involve removing any hair trapped in the brushes and wheels. You’ll also need to wipe any dust from the sensors and charging dock using a soft, dry cloth.
If you’re not sure of how to clean any of these parts, consult the manufacturer’s manual.
FAQ
How long do robot vacuums last?
Robot vacuums are advanced pieces of equipment with more mobile parts and software than traditional vacuums. Now, this doesn’t necessarily make them any less durable.
If you carry out regular maintenance, and invest in the right replacement components, robot vacuums can last as long as the conventional models. It means they should be able to last several years.
How effective are robot vacuums at cleaning?
How effectively a robot vacuum is able to clean will depend on several factors. If your space is a huge mess with wires, toys, and charging cords strewn everywhere, then the bot won’t be able to navigate easily and do its job. The tidier the floor is, the better the robot vacuum will be able to clean.
That said, keep in mind that some models clean certain types of floors better than others. Some are specially designed to clean tile, and others carpeted floors. There are also high-end robot vacuums that can clean any surface with incredible ease.
Final verdict
Traditional vacuums, while effective, aren’t the easiest to operate. Trying to ensure that the cord doesn’t get tangled all while having to put up with the noise it generates is a bit much. Plus, there are certain areas that it can’t reach.
Robot vacuums are the perfect substitute for conventional vacuum cleaners. You won’t have to contend with any unwieldy power cords and they can access those hard-to-reach spots that you’ve ignored cleaning for months.
The best part is, most robot vacuums can be controlled remotely through apps or voice commands. This gives you a hands-free approach, allowing you to tackle other duties while the bot cleans your home. So what are you waiting for? Invest in a robot vacuum that meets your needs today!
