If you have pets, you'll need a robot vacuum that can handle fur shedding and other hair-related mess. Select a model with a large dustbin and can empty it.You should consider a model with the ability to map and virtual no-go lines to keep it from sensitive areas like pet bowls and beds. Find models with smart features such as the ability to schedule or use a smartphone application.
1. Neato D7
The D7 is the most powerful model in Neato’s robotic vacuum line. It is extremely navigable and is controlled by either the app or Alexa. The D7 unlike other robots that struggle to navigate without a map, uses advanced sensors and Lasers to create an electronic map. You can create virtual "No Go" lines by simply pressing your finger. This means that the D7 will avoid areas where it is not recommended to go (without the necessity of towers or barrier tape).
The cleaning capacity of the D7 is quite impressive. It is able to take up an average of 99.8 percent of Cheerios scattered across the floor It's a little better than the Roomba i7+'s 94.6 percent and the Shark Ion R85's 100 percent. The D7 can also maneuver well both on bare carpet and high-pile.
Another feature is the option to choose between two cleaning intensities. There's a Eco mode that operates the vacuum quietly and extends the run time, while Turbo mode provides an even more Powerful 1800Pa Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Self-Charging clean. However the Turbo mode runs at an antisocial volume, which can be a problem in the event that you're using the D7 while you're working or watching TV.
The D7 is one of the few robots that are able to create and store multiple floor plans, which is ideal for multi-level homes. It also has a quick boost feature that allows it to return to its base, recharge and resume cleaning. This is particularly useful when cleaning difficult areas. Neato's app is easy to use and regularly updated with new features. For the price, this is among the top robots for carpets with thick hair available.
2. Eufy RoboVac 11S
Similar to the Neato D7, the Eufy 11S is sleek and low-profile. This makes it possible to get under couches, beds, and coffee tables more easily than other robot vacuums. It also features some innovative features that make it easier to clean and move wherever you want it to go, such as the no-go lines that you can draw on maps that stop it from cleaning delicate areas such as pet bowls or bed. It also comes with an auto recharge and resume feature that, if the battery dies before the cleaning is complete it, it will automatically make its way back to its base to charge and then resumes where it was when it stopped.
In our tests, the RoboVac 11S performed more than its predecessor, eufy RoboVac 30C. It also was more Efficient Shark AI Robot Vacuum with Smart Mapping than the ILIFE A4s and the bObsweep Bob Pro, and the ILIFE A4s. Its dirt compartment is larger, it has a longer maximum battery life, and it removes more debris on everything from plain floors to carpets that are high and low-pile. It is also easier to maintain, has lower cost per year and is able to maneuver itself.
This robotic vacuum isn't the best for bare floors. However it is a great choice for those who have medium carpeting and pets. It makes use of random navigation to find its way around the room and feels its way around obstacles with sensors that are housed in its front bumper and underbelly. It's not as sophisticated as other robots' mapping technologies but it's enough to get into nooks and corners that other robots can't reach. It comes with spin brushes that clean along walls, and a 0.6-liter dust bin. It comes with an actual remote control with an all-black display, a charging dock, four attachable side brushes two additional filters and the cleaning tool.
3. iLife VS3 Professional
If you have pets, you'll need an automated vacuum strong enough to take out pet hair. This clings to carpets and floors and can make even the best robot vacuum struggle. To be clear I test how well robots collect dog and cat hair by observing how much of it they can pick up from a floor within a 5-foot-by-5-foot area. I also test how well the robot can navigate household terrain. This includes how it travels over a common threshold such as table legs, furniture, and underneath the couch. Certain robots are able identify their homes with sensors. They can sense their way around and build a 3D representation of the home. This helps them better avoid obstacles during future cleaning cycles.
The iLife V3s Pro excels at managing household terrain and is one of the most affordable models we test. It also performed well in my test to remove pet hair and was able to remove the majority of hair from hardwood flooring and only slightly lower its score when it was tested on carpet.
Unlike many other robot vacs like the V3s Pro does not use a traditional brush roll. It instead relies on two side brushes rotating to loosen and push debris towards a 3 inch opening at its base. While this is a less reliable carpet system, it's still impressive for such an inexpensive unit.
The iLife V3s Pro's mopping ability is also fairly decent. It can do an OK job on floors that aren't clean, and it took out fake Christmas tree needles, bits of tinsel, and mud-like pieces in my mopping tests. It's not as good as the top mop robot.
4. Roborock s7
For a robot vacuum with impressive technological capabilities the Roborock s7 is an excellent value. The mid-priced vacuum cleaner works exactly as well as top-of-the-line models, and is simple to maintain and use. It comes with a range of high-end features, which are similar to those you will find in models that cost twice more. It's a great choice for first-time buyers, those upgrading from an entry-level model, and for anyone looking to save time while cleaning.
This robot can be used on both carpet and unfinished floors. Its suction power of 2,000Pa can handle the toughest carpeting. It's even able to clean pet hair from cracks and crevices on bare floors. It's well-built, maneuvers efficiently and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands to allow hands-free operation. The battery is smaller than other models, but it's still enough to power the majority of homes.
The s7 is also a great mopping robot. It includes a 200ml water tank as well as mopping plates that easily attaches to the back of the robot. Just add water and a microfiber fabric and the s7 will automatically begin mopping your floors. After the mopping is completed the s7 will return to its dock and will shut down automatically.
The companion app is simple to use and has a clean layout with lots of functions. You can draw a map of your home, set virtual boundaries that the s7 can't cross, set up zones of no-go areas or simply instruct it to clean a specific room. You can also look at its maintenance history, its current status, and even monitor its performance.
5. Neato Q5 Pro
The Neato Q5 Pro is a multi-purpose robot vacuum that excels at bare floors and cleans up a good amount of dirt from both high and low-pile carpet. It is extremely built, has a comprehensive range of navigation options and is simple to maintain. It has a shorter battery life and more regular costs than other models.
The Q5 is among the slowest robots we've tested but its layout algorithm is reliable and doesn't require any extra attention after its first run through a space. It starts by mapping out an area, and then fills in the interior with an array of parallel lines. Once the job is done, it returns to the charging station, if it was away from base.
It did an excellent job of cleaning hardwood floors by sucking at minimum 88% dirt from each test. It was a bit less successful on carpets with high and low piles however it did better than the standard unit. It also comes with mopping attachments that can clean up wet spills. We didn't test it.
Its maneuverability is above average for a robot with lidar, and it is able to softly bump into furniture and other obstacles. Its navigation system can detect stairs and floors, which allows it to efficiently deal with multistory homes. It can also identify individual rooms when you choose them in the app. It can also alter its power level, establish no-go zones and view a map of the current cleaning area. The Q5 can be controlled via the mobile app, or by voice commands from Alexa Google Assistant and Apple Siri.
