The best robot vacuums that self-empty feature a base which holds an entire month's worth of debris and then empty it automatically. It creates a detailed home map, allowing you label rooms and create "no go" zones.
It has superior obstacle-avoiding capabilities, and it can stay clear of power cords and rogue socks.
iRobot Roomba s9+
This is a top model from iRobot and it performs very well. It can move easily across a variety of surfaces, and is extremely efficient at sucking dirt, dust and debris up. It's also well-constructed and looks pretty nice too.
The S9 is the most recent model in iRobot's premium S Series line of robot vacuums and, as such, it boasts many additional features that distinguish it from lesser models. The iRobot App can use, for instance, the camera to create maps that helps the unit navigate and clean efficiently.
It will also return to the place where it left off if its battery is depleted during cleaning, so you don't have to re-clean the same spots. You can manually start and stop cleaning by the voice command or through the iRobot App. This smart vacuum is able to clean in the dark!
Another great feature is Carpet Boost, which gives the S9 additional suction power when it comes in contact with carpeting to collect more dirt and debris. The unit also has an elongated front design that is closer to the corners and walls than the older round designs. However, keep in mind that this model isn't able to work well with shag or high-pile carpeting.
During our tests, we found the iRobot S9+ cleaned thoroughly and efficiently a variety of floor surfaces including hard and medium-pile carpets. It also did well on vinyl flooring, and laminate flooring. It did a good job of navigating furniture and other objects, but it did have some issues with stairs where it could crash into bookcases.
We liked the fact that the S9 automatically returns to its base to empty its dust bin once it's full, which greatly minimizes the need to be hands-on with maintenance. The dust bag should last for around 30 loads, which is about two months, and you'll have to replace the filter once every so often (which is actually recommended by iRobot). We've found that the iRobot S9+ doesn't get extremely loud when it's in use, so it's a good choice for people who live with kids or pets.
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Created to take one of the most tedious tasks off your hands, robotic vacuum cleaners take care of all the hard work to get carpeted and hardwood floors free of every day dust. Some robot vacuum cleaners are able to be controlled via apps on smartphones, and others have mopping technology for bathrooms and kitchen flooring. They're a great option for busy families, and are becoming more affordable than ever. But if you want top-tech features on your robotic cleaner, you're going to need to pay a little more.
The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid vacuum and mopping machine is an excellent option for those who live in multi-floored apartments. Its dual motors give it an impressive cleaning capacity and the 0.6l dustbin can store plenty of pet hair. The dustbin is easily removed and empty which is great as you'll need to do this frequently.
It's also easy to set up, but I would recommend fully charging the X8 Hybrid prior to running it for the very first time. You'll have to install the Eufy Home app and follow the instructions for connecting to your Wi-Fi network. The app will help you to create an outline of your home. You can label rooms, divide large spaces into sub-rooms (good for open-plan living) and guide the X8 Hybrid to specific areas that require cleaning at the time of. There are many other robots that have similar mapping and scanning functions, but Eufy's app feels more refined and intuitive than other models.
The X8 Hybrid has a great feature: you can turn on the vacuum cleaner or mop by voice thanks to the integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This is a nice touch that makes the robot even more hands-free, and it is very effective in our test house.
The X8 Hybrid, like many robotic vacuums has some issues with bare flooring. It is prone to miss fur and small items and tends to bump things, such as its charger on the charging platform. It's not as quiet, and the whirring sound can be distracting as with other models.
Roborock V3S Pro
The robot doesn't come with the same features as some of the more expensive models we've tested, but it does provide the essentials. It has a huge dust bin that can hold a lot of dirt before needing to be cleaned. The vacuum and mop system is ideal for carpets and hard floors with low pile. It's also extremely quiet and we were able to sit and watch television while it was cleaning without feeling like it was blasting us with the sound.
Our test subjects were extremely impressed by how simple the machine was to operate and set up. They also loved the ability to clean all the mess from their flooring. It even did a pretty good job of picking up pet hair and messes from carpeting, but it was not as effective in tackling stubborn stuck-on stains. The users found the app to be user-friendly and easy to use, and were able to program the vacuum to clean regularly to cut down on the amount they had to manually do. It doesn't include the ability to avoid objects or map technology, so it isn't able to be able to be directed to specific rooms or follow virtual borders (though magnetic boundaries work).
The V3S Pro is another model in iRobots affordable line. It comes with some impressive features at an affordable price. It was the most efficient robot vacuum in our tests for navigating and avoiding obstacles. It's also a great budget choice for those looking for a more intelligent, self-emptying robot vacuum that can take care of hair and pet messes on hardwood floors and carpets with a low pile. It's also quiet and has a large dust bin which can hold a lot of dust before it needs to be emptied.
Although the V3S Pro didn't earn a place in any of our top choices roundups of reliable sources that conduct tests with hands-on, it was highly praised by reviewers from Modern Castle, Smart Robot Reviews and The Ambient. They were impressed with how easy it was to set up and use, however they did note that the battery life was limited and it wasn't able to avoid some of the most difficult mess we've put it through.
Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is a solid low-cost robot vacuum and mop that doesn't skimp on features or prices. You can get many of the high-end features, like smart navigation and mapping, without spending a fortune. You can make use of voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri shortcuts for custom automations, as well as to begin your cleaning cycle when you're away.
Roborock has spent time in the development of this innovative cleaner. As a result, the product is exceptionally well-built and feels like it was constructed from premium materials. Its base is stable and solid, with the charging port built into the battery. On the top, you'll find a dock for the clean water tank and water bins that are dirty. You'll also find a panel beneath the dock, which houses a sealed vacuum bag.
After you've paired your device to the app, you'll get a 2D or 3D map of your home that shows where your robot is currently in and the area it's cleaning. You can also set up virtual barriers to ensure that the robot isn't in certain areas, and make sure that it only cleans certain kinds of floors. It is also able to adjust its power settings based on the floor type that is being cleaned. Select the most effective cleaning method.
The Q Revo is unique to many other robot vacuums because it can raise both mop heads while vacuuming. This prevents carpet fibres from being stained. It's actually one of the very few vacuums that can do this.
When mopping, vacuum robot can be enough to take out dust particles, strands of pet hair, and other debris. The all-rubber brush is great at disentangling human and animal hair, as well as adapting to uneven surfaces.
Its only drawback is that it takes some time to fill and empty water tanks that are clean and dirty. You can decrease the frequency of this by using the auto-empty function which will empty the bins automatically after a few days. You'll still need to check the level of water on the dock manually however, since there's not an automatic reminder.
