A robot vacuum keeps floors tidy between deeper cleans. The best ones map your home, avoid obstacles and empty themselves. Here is what is worth paying for.
Navigation
- Lidar or laser navigation: builds an accurate map, cleans in efficient lines and lets you set no-go zones in the app.
- Camera-based navigation: can also map well, and some models use cameras to recognise and avoid obstacles such as cables and socks.
- Basic bump-and-turn models: cheaper, but clean less systematically and are slower in larger homes.
Pet hair and carpets
- Rubber or anti-tangle brush rolls cope better with long hair.
- Stronger suction and an auto carpet boost help on rugs and carpets.
- If you have pets, obstacle avoidance is particularly valuable.
Mopping
Many robots now mop as well as vacuum. Simple models drag a damp pad; better ones can lift the mop when they reach carpet, or use rotating pads. Check whether you need to remove the mop pad manually before it goes onto rugs.
Self-emptying docks
A self-emptying dock sucks the dirt out of the robot into a sealed bag, so you only need to empty it every few weeks. Higher-end docks also wash and dry the mop pads and refill the water tank. These are convenient but add to the cost and take up floor space, and replacement bags are an ongoing cost.
Practical checks
- Height: measure the gap under your sofa and beds.
- Thresholds: check the maximum height of door thresholds the robot can climb.
- App and privacy: look at how the app handles maps and any camera data, and what account you need to create.
Are they worth it?
A robot vacuum will not replace a deep clean, but it greatly reduces daily dust and pet hair. Most households still keep a cordless or upright vacuum for stairs, corners and spills.