The first and most important thing to know about Vacuum Wars testing is that we purchase all the robot vacuums we test ourselves and never do sponsored reviews of any kind. This ensures that our reviews are unbiased and not influenced in any way by the manufacturers. We test robots in a variety of ways, which we will discuss at length in this article.
Bench Tests
We test the airflow and suction power of the robot vacuum on its maximum power setting. We do this using an anemometer for airflow and a manometer for suction. Unlike manufacturers who typically test suction at the motor, we test suction at the brushhead housing, which we believe provides a more accurate representation of the actual power available.
Practical Performance Tests
We conduct what we call a Carpet Deep Clean Test, where we determine how well the robot can pick up deeply embedded sand in medium pile carpet. The robot runs for a fixed amount of time on our test carpet, and we weigh its internal dustbin before and after the test. We typically conduct this test three times to ensure consistent results. This test is performed on maximum power.
We also conduct a Crevice Pick-Up Test, which involves embedding coffee into hard floor crevices that are 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch deep. The robot runs on maximum power for a timed duration, and we score it based on how many of the crevices it successfully clears. This test evaluates both airflow and suction as well as the construction of the brush roll housing.
Additionally, we perform pick-up tests on hard floors and carpets using a variety of debris types and sizes. Most robot vacuums have historically been effective at sweeping up debris, so this test is generally not scored. However, it is used to identify deal-breakers—such as the inability to pick up debris of a certain size or failure to collect fine debris, both of which are noted in our reviews.
We conduct two new pet hair and human hair pick-up tests:
- The 2.5-Inch Flattened Pet Hair Pick-Up Test: We place a fixed amount of 2.5-inch pet hair on carpet, systematically flatten it, and then run the robot for two consecutive runs, allowing it to return to its base if applicable. We then weigh the remaining hair to determine the score.
- The 7-Inch Hair Tangle Test: Conducted on hard floors, this test uses a set weight of 7-inch hair. After two consecutive runs, we weigh the hair caught in the main brush roller and side brush to determine the tangle resistance score.
The first and most important thing to know about Vacuum Wars testing is that we purchase all the robot vacuums we test ourselves and never do sponsored reviews of any kind.
Vacuum Wars
Mopping Tests
For robots equipped with mops, we have recently developed a new system for testing mopping performance. This test involves nine circular stains for coffee and five grape juice stains, each measured with increasing amounts using a syringe. Each stain is assigned a points value based on difficulty. The robot then runs four times, with stains removed on the first run receiving the highest score and those removed later receiving progressively lower scores. We conduct this test twice—once on maximum power and once on either low or medium power—and average the two scores.
We have also introduced a Water Penalty Score to measure how much water a robot leaves behind after a mopping run, as excess water increases the likelihood of streaks. To measure this, we weigh a paper towel before and after wiping a 4×4 ft area following the robot’s mopping pass. The additional water weight is negatively scored, meaning the ideal robot vacuum effectively removes stains while leaving minimal water behind.
Navigation Tests
After mapping a fixed floor plan with the same furniture and square footage for all robots, we conduct multiple navigation efficiency tests:
- Low-power setting (without mopping): Measures how quickly the robot vacuums (square meters per minute), battery efficiency (minutes per percentage point), and total square footage covered.
- Best setting (typically standard or medium power, with mopping enabled): Similar test with mopping functionality.
- Maximum power setting: Measures navigation performance at the highest suction level.
We average the scores from navigation efficiency, battery efficiency, and coverage to determine the final navigation score.
For robots with obstacle avoidance sensors, we conduct five total obstacle avoidance tests using their maximum sensitivity settings:
- Four tests using three different object categories each.
- A torture test that includes all 24 objects from the previous tests.
Robots earn a point for each object they successfully avoid.
Features and Pricing
Our algorithm for ranking robot vacuums in our Top 20 Robot Vacuum List considers official features and specifications, such as:
- Dustbin size
- Virtual barriers in the app
- Carpet boost
- Active hair removal systems
- Auto-empty bin features
- Mop pad washing and drying capabilities
- Automatic mop pad lifting
- The ability to leave mop pads behind
- And much more
We believe this comprehensive evaluation makes the Vacuum Wars algorithm the best at determining the top robot vacuums on the market.
We also incorporate the Amazon star rating and current price, which we update weekly. Because of this frequent updating, our Vacuum Wars Top 20 Robot Vacuum List is one of the most up-to-date and unbiased resources for determining the best robot vacuum available.
