Found the perfect floor covering but struggling to keep it clean? If your life is hectic, or you simply have better things to do than vacuum, let a robot vacuum take care of all that daily dust.
Although increasingly advanced, these mini gadgets aren’t yet powerful enough to replace your regular vacuum cleaner (sorry). But, they have light maintenance covered, which cuts down on the time you’ll spend on more thorough cleanings.
Picking them up can be very effective, even lifting pet hair, and they’re adept at tackling corners and reaching under furniture. They can’t climb stairs, but smart sensors prevent them from falling.
Our expert tester put a range of technologies to the test to find the best robot vacuums for all floor types. Their reviews are below, but these time-saving machines can be pricey, so let’s go over the key things to consider before you buy.
How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner
Different models offer different features, at different price points. It’s only worth paying for the ones you’ll use, so here’s what to look for:
Cartography and prohibited areas
Many robot vacuums map out your floor plan before cleaning, so they know where to clean in your home. You can also dictate the cleanest spot, creating no-go zones via the compatible app or using the included magnetic strips. Some of the more affordable models on our list don’t have these features, but as long as you’re there while they clean, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Smart Connectivity
Every robot vacuum we tested comes with an app you can use to control it. They’re all compatible with Alexa or Google Home, so you can talk to them if you prefer. If you’re not concerned about smart features, consider one of the Eufy models – all three in our roundup also come with a remote control.
Capacity
Compact robot vacuums can usually carry less than a liter of dust, which means they will need to be emptied regularly. That said, some high-end gadgets have auto-emptying functionality, with disposal technology built into their docking stations. iRobot claims its j7+ and s9+ models (both tested by us) can hold up to 60 days of debris.
How we test robot vacuums
Our home testing expert tried out a range of leading robot vacuums on hard floors and carpets. They judged each model by how much specially formulated dust it picked up in a set number of sweeps. Next, they ground Battersea Dogs and Cats Home pet hair into a mat to assess the heavy-duty pick-up.
They put each vacuum to work in a carefully designed test room, noting how well it navigated obstacles and mapped dimensions. Finally, they looked at its technology, considering how intuitive its app was and how well it responded to voice control.
These eight robot vacuums carry our seal of approval:
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