Some premium features are missing, though. Unlike pricier robots, the G30 Edge doesn’t use LIDAR to scan its surroundings and build up a persistent map of your house. Instead, it creates its internal map from scratch each time it goes out, using basic sensors to detect walls and obstacles. Along with the vacuum itself, you get a remote control for easy operation. Change your vacuum’s settings, or run a one-off cleaning cycle with the push of a button. You also get a set of extra brushes. This is a great feature not offered by many robot vacuums. The brushes shouldn’t wear out any time soon, but it’s nice to have them when you need them.

Robot Vacuum Cleaner VR9500T | Samsung UK Samsung Jet Bot Robot Vacuum Cleaner VR9500T | Samsung UK

How much you spend depends on your budget and your must-haves in a robot vacuum cleaner. As a rule of thumb, the more features and functions a robot has, the more expensive it will be. This doesn't mean that the performance you are getting with a robot vacuum will be any less, though. Do robot vacuums work on pet hair? If you're looking to upgrade from a basic robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities, the Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent choice. Thanks to its bagless self-emptying system and self-cleaning brushroll, it's one of the lowest-maintenance robot vacuums we've tested. The more expensive Shark AI XL is another compelling choice that offers double the bin capacity of the Shark IQ XL. If you're looking for the ultimate in AI-powered cleaning this Eufy isn't it. But if you want a cheap, cheerful and very effective cleaner, it's hard to beat at this price. The Wyze Robot Vacuum's low price and competitive feature set make it a nice option for first-time robot vacuum buyers. In testing, it had no problem traversing hard flooring and carpet, and thoroughly collected dog hair from both, so it's also a strong budget-friendly choice for pet owners. iRobot’s Roomba vacuums are iconic, so it’s hardly surprising its top-scoring models dominated our testing. This is the predecessor to the Combo J7+ above, meaning it shares many features, only without the added mop capabilities, so while it’s still a hefty investment, it’s slightly more affordable.

What Is the Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?

The Ecovacs Deebot N10 has plenty going for it. It’s a decent vacuum cleaner that will do a good job of keeping your floor clean, especially if you send it out regularly. This is easy to set up using the Ecovacs app, which is well-featured and simple to operate. If you love the idea of a robot vacuum that can mop and vacuum but don't want to spend a fortune, this hybrid floor cleaner from Eufy is well worth considering. At just under half the price of the Ecovacs Robovacs robe-mops, and often discounted, this is an affordable way to get a good hybrid robot cleaner. Battery Life: The top bots should have a battery life of at least 120 to 140 minutes, which should be enough to clean three to four rooms before it’s time for a recharge. Thanks to standard self-charging, you shouldn’t have to worry about running out of power mid-clean. iRobot first launch the Roomba in 2002. The original unit was relatively dumb, with not a lot of extra features. It randomly roamed around your floor without any kind of pattern, and automatically returned for a charge as needed. Since then, the market has exploded, and there are many companies making robot vacuums. Some of these offer a wide variety of smart features, while others are as simple as the original Roomba. We test each robot vacuum cleaner by installing it in a typical domestic setting. The charging station is always placed in the same location, and the robot is given the same basic floorplan to clean, so we can see how elements such as navigation and speed compare between every robot we review. It’s a challenging floor plan that challenges even the smartest robot, with plenty of corners, tight spots, low furniture, surface changes and cable nests.

Robot Vacuums Are a One-Way Ticket to Clean Floors - GQ The Best Robot Vacuums Are a One-Way Ticket to Clean Floors - GQ

To find the best robot vacuum for every type of home, we tested these vacuums on multiple types of floors: tile, laminate hardwood, and rugs. For the hybrid robot vacuum and mops, we also tested the mopping functions on moderate floor stains. We compared the process for setting up and using each vacuum. Most of the robot vacuums we tested have the ability to create a map of your home, and so we also compared how easy it was to use these maps and to send the vacuum to a specific zone or room. Finally, we looked for standout features such as superior obstacle avoidance or increased suction power.Unfortunately not. Due to their design, robot vacuums cannot move up and down stairs but they are ideal for cleaning individual rooms, flats and single-storey homes. Stair cleaning will be need to be left to your regular vacuum. Like other types of vacuums, many of the best robot vacuums on this list and other models we've tested are effective at collecting pet hair, fine dust, and larger debris from floors. How to choose the best robot vacuum cleaner for you How well do they deal with household obstacles? Key features on this model include advanced laser navigation and mapping – so it knows which way to go without bumping into obstacles – and an Auto-Empty Station that cleans its onboard 14.2oz / 420ml dust box for you into a disposable 0.5 gallon / 2.5-liter dust bag. This means that not only is there no need to keep emptying the dust box, you may only need to think about emptying the bag once a month or so. There's also an 8.1oz/240ml water reservoir and a clip-on mopping pad.