Best robot vacuum cleaner UK rated robot vacuum (click here to find out more) and Mop

Eufy's robot mop and vacuum is among the highest-rated of its kind. It takes a lot of the chore of cleaning your floors. It is able to replenish its own water tank and empty its tower bin. It can also change the dust bag.

More advanced models are able to trace your home's layout and note the location of furniture. They also can detect obstacles and navigate around hazards like loose charging cables and stray socks.

Object Avoidance

Object avoidance allows your robot to avoid hitting objects such as cords, toys and clothes that could get caught in the vacuum. These are especially important if you have kids or pets who may be likely to leave items on the floor where your robot will be able to locate them.

Based on the model you pick depending on the model you choose, you may have a variety of sensors to help your robot navigate around obstacles. Some of the most sought-after include crossed IR sensor beams that are infrared-focused lights which scan the room to look for furniture legs or door frames. This technology is used by a variety of robots available, Best Rated robot vacuum and you can also find it in flagship models that cost more than others.

Other technologies for avoiding objects that you might find in higher-end robots include 3D Structured Light, which uses cameras and crossed IR sensors to map the environment and detect obstacles; and Time of Flight (ToF) sensors which emit and measure the time it takes for light to reflect off objects, to determine the distance between them. These are less common but could be a great addition to your robot, in case you're looking to add peace of mind.

Most of the top-rated robots can also clean your floors. Some robots come with own water tanks which let them clean up messes and spills. You'll need to empty the dust bin and clean its cameras and sensors between cleaning sessions.

Mapping

Robot vacuums need to be able to map. This allows them to navigate your home without getting caught up against walls. Without mapping, they may get tripped up by furniture, cords, or pet toys and end up taking less space from your space. By using sensors, many robots map out your home to identify any obstacles and help navigate around them. They can clean your floors in fewer steps and save you time. A lot of the top-rated robot vacuums also have this feature to create zones that are not allowed, permitting you to define rooms that you don't want the robot to get into.

Robots with built-in LIDAR system use this technology to map your home quickly and efficiently. In our tests of the Eufy Clean robot used this feature to divide my home into distinct areas and clean each independently it was a major improvement over the lesser models we tested that just utilized an in-front bump sensor. This was a far more accurate way of navigating my home, and it was easy to control using the app on the device.

Although there aren't any robot vacuums that can climb stairs, most effective models have mapping and obstacle avoidance features. These tools let them collect dirt from low-pile or hard floors, and avoid falling down the stairs. Some have cliff sensors that stop them from crossing the edge of the stairs and some also have boundary strips that prevent them from certain areas.

Some robots come with a massive tower base which holds their collected dirt, minimizing the amount of dust and allergens released into your home. These bases can last for weeks or even months between emptying, and are particularly beneficial for those with allergies. Some models have self-emptying dust bins which you can empty without opening and closing them manually.

Wi-Fi enabled

Some robot vacuums connect via Wi-Fi with their applications. This lets you control them with your smartphone instead of (or in addition) to an actual remote. These models are more expensive, but they can save you time because you can schedule cleaning sessions daily, weekly or even monthly. They also permit you to modify and save floor maps, and offer different cleaning patterns.

The most advanced robot vacuums utilize dual sensors, which combine the LIDAR system to map your space using a structured light sensor that can detect objects and avoid them even if they're under furniture or power cords. These features allow your robot to access tight areas, such as the nook beneath your kitchen cabinets or under your sofas. Other robots that vacuum and mop struggle to reach these kinds of spaces. They also have a faster speed to maneuver around obstacles, and have longer runtimes and larger dust bins. This makes them more suitable for large homes compared to entry-level robots.

The best robotic mop and vacuum robot vacuums are swift efficient, smart and powerful. They are able to pick up many kinds of floor debris, including pet hair, kitty-litter and other dirt. They also are quiet, making them a great option for homes with pets and young children. Most robot vacuum owners we've interviewed say they appreciate the ease of keeping their floors cleaned with little effort, particularly when they are used often. Robots can last just as long as traditional vacuum cleaners with the right maintenance (cleaning rotating brushes and keeping the track of spare parts). PCWorld has a helpful guide that provides tips to keep your machine running in good shape for the years to come.

Larger Dust Bags

While a robotic cleaner and mop vacuum may not be as effective as a canister or Best Rated Robot Vacuum upright model, it is excellent at picking up dust and other debris that regular vacuuming leaves behind. It can be used to perform quick retouching of floors and can also traverse around cords or other obstacles in your home. If you don't wish to do the deep cleaning yourself, a robotic cleaner will let you send it out to scour your floors on a regular basis.

The top-rated robot vacuums come with big dust bags that can store more dirt than one room. This can help save time and money by providing bags that can be replaced. Many of the models we've listed include this feature, including our top pick, the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo. This robovac all-in-one is a top-performing robovac that has a self-emptying bin. It also comes with mopping capabilities and efficient navigation. It is a close call between this and the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+, which comes with smart mapping and avoidance technology. This model is more expensive but has a bigger capacity.

The two models also differ in how they handle long hair, which may get tangled up in the rollers of certain robots. The most efficient models, the Roborock Q5 Max+ and SwitchBot K10S Plus, both have superb hair pickup and tangle avoidance scores with fantastic path planning and near perfect auto empty results. The Shark Matrix Plus and eufy are also excellent options, with decent hair pick-up and tangle avoidance but they don't have as much path planning or auto empty.

The latest robots are equipped with sensors that detect dirt and other debris on carpets and they are better at removing pet hair. Some have a mopping mode that uses the reservoir of water to eliminate spills and stuck-on mess. This feature is crucial for families with children and pets.

Maintenance

A robot vacuum will help you keep up with your home. The most effective models pick up more dirt from the surface pet hair and lint than a broom on low-pile or hard floors. They also have navigation capabilities that ensure they don't get caught on power cords or rug fringe and are able to slide easily under furniture.

According to the model, you can schedule a robot vacuum to run several times per day or even observe it in action with an app. These machines are useful however they can clog and require regular maintenance. This means emptying the onboard dust bin (or in certain cases, the base's bigger bin), checking brushes for fur that is tangled, and periodically rinsing the filters and allowing them to dry according to the manufacturer.

Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin, a store owner apprentice at University Vacuum + Sewing, says a high-quality robot vacuum can last from three to five years or more if it receives regular maintenance and care. She recommends regularly emptying the bin and brush roll and cutting out hair that's tangled in the brushes, and frequently washing and drying the filter, when your robot is also used as mop. It's a good idea to clean the sensors and charging contacts on the dock or robot with a soft, clean cloth every now and then. You can then refill and recharge your robot prior to the next clean-up session.