Best Lidar Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Lidar is an extremely powerful tool for robot vacuums to map their environments, along with cameras and 3D-mapping sensors that offer elite-level obstacle avoidance. Some prefer to go with a simple approach by using a basic vacuum that is inexpensive.

In our tests, this vac built an editable floor map in small and large rooms, with good accuracy. It also cleaned up well and worked effectively within the "No-Go Zones" we set.

1. Neato Botvac D4

If you want the convenience of a robot vacuum, but without having to make numerous sacrifices in terms of performance, this Neato is a good option. The D4 provides an excellent mapping and floor navigation feature, smart home integration, and a user-friendly app and all at an affordable price that won't blow your budget.

To set up this bot, you'll must plug it into its base and connect it to your Wi-Fi network at home. Once that's done, the Neato app will guide you through the initial configuration (linking to Wi-Fi and calling the D4, etc.). Once it's fully charged, you can then begin a cleaning cycle.

Once you've got your D4 up and running, you can use the app to create an automated schedule or manually start any time you'd like. You can also use your voice to control it through Google Home or Amazon Alexa. If you have an Apple Watch you can start cleaning by tapping the wrist.

In our tests this model was able to clean well on carpeted and hard floors and picked up 91.3 percent of the debris in serpentine paths. It's not as effective at cleaning edges and corners as the more expensive models. The sensors on the sides of the D4 keep it around 1.5 inches from walls. It also lacks the side-sweeping brush on all but cheapest robotic cleaners. The raised turret means that it cannot be placed under furniture with low clearance. However, it does support virtual No-Go Lines, so you can draw red lines on your floor plan to inform the D4 not to travel there. The battery lasts for 75 minutes, which is also fairly average. But that's a small trade-off for the convenience this model offers.

2. IRobot Roomba 980

The Roomba 980 from IRobot is the flagship robot from the company's line-up that promises top performance and features that are connected. The retail price for the 980 is $899 or PS899 but you can often find it for less online.

The 980 is the highest-tech of all our top picks. It comes with a HEPA filter which can trap micronized dust and allergens, which can improve the air quality in your house. It also supports a variety of floor surfaces, including hardwood and tile.

One of the most recognizable characteristics of the 980 is its top-mounted camera and SLAM sensor which enable it to navigate more effectively than other Roombas even in tight spaces like hallways and corners. iRobot calls this technology iAdapt 2.0 and it uses snapshots from the camera to draw an internal map. This helps the 980 to keep its track of where it is to ensure that it doesn't spend cleaning time in areas it has already cleaned.

iRobot has also added some new features that are smart, such as a feature that lets you define a certain space of your home not accessible to the 980. This feature was not the most sophisticated or largest we tested, but it works and is a welcome addition. The 980 can also be controlled with voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. However, issuing commands isn't immediate; the robot vacuums with obstacle avoidance lidar can send a queued request that could take up to a few minutes to complete.

The Roomba can return to its base station automatically after it's done cleaning, ensuring that it is always ready for the next adventure. This feature is only available to the 980 and makes the robot more user-friendly.

3. iRobot Roomba 985

iRobot Roomba 985 is a product designed to help you make your floors looking cleaner and more beautiful, with its powerful cleaning capabilities, smart navigation, and smart integration with other iRobot products. Its exclusive dirt detection system warns you of areas that need extra attention, and also includes smart sensors to keep it away from stairs and other risky obstacles. It will also automatically recharge and continue cleaning until the task is done. Its intelligent mapping and vSLAM technology lets it explore the entire floor of your home, and keep an eye on the areas it's been to and what rooms it has yet to clean.

Its low profile makes it easier to move under furniture and other objects where dust, pet hair, and dirt often hide. It also removes dirt from corners and edges, unlike other robot vacuums. It's also simple to plan cleaning sessions from any location, using the iRobot app or your voice with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The iRobot Roomba 985 is powered by lithium-ion batteries that are of the highest quality. They charge faster and last longer than other brands. The battery is covered by a 12-month warranty and is guaranteed to function under normal operating conditions. Its high-impact ABS and polycarbonate plastic construction offers durability. Its gold contacts that resist welding and long-lasting circuitry ensures long-term reliability.

4. iRobot Roomba 990

The latest model from iRobot has the best obstacle avoidance of any Roomba we've tested, thanks to its front-facing camera and laser sensor. This allows it to stay clear of wires and floor pet feces better than the Roborock S6 MaxV, Ecovacs N8 Pro, as well as other robotic vacuums we've tested.

It's also the most powerful vacuum, capable of taking on dirt with more granular debris and hairy pet hair that is larger, unlike other mid-range models such as the Roomba 960. This is due to the fact that the cleaner comes with larger brushes that rotate counter-clockwise and an engine with more suction power.

The Roomba 995 is iRobot’s least expensive vacuum robot with lidar, with recharge and resume. However it doesn't have the auto-empty feature that the I6+ or I7 offer. It also doesn't have iAdapt 2.0 navigation and the camera that the I7 utilizes to track objects and avoid obstacles. This means it can't save maps or access within-app features such as no-go zones.

The iRobot does not have mopping capabilities. While this isn't an issue for those who require a top vacuum, it's a major disadvantage for anyone who wants to use the hybrid robot.

The Combo J7+ is another iRobot that is equipped with automatic empty. It can mop and vacuum. It has the same navigation capabilities as the I6+ and I7 but doesn't have iAdapt 2.0 and cameras. It isn't able to save any maps and doesn't offer the same in-app containment options like the I7 or S9. The Combo J7+ does, however, have improved automation through iRobot Genius and can learn your habits for cleaning and plan cleaning schedules automatically. It also has a bigger dust bin than the I6+ and I7 - it holds 2.5 liters of debris, which is more than enough to last 60 days.

5. IRobot Roomba 960

A cheaper alternative to the 980, the 960 offers similar performance in a smaller package. It's still fantastic on bare floors and carpeted rooms, picking up food dust, dirt tracked in and pieces of paper that have been torn. It's also adept at navigating and avoiding obstructions. It also does a decent job cleaning embedded dirt.

This robot uses iAdapt navigation 2.0 to track its location. This lets it move around the area efficiently and avoid getting trapped. The top-mounted camera and the SLAM are combined to let it see the floor and its objects, which lets it deftly dodge furniture legs and other obstacles. It can even fit under couches and tables due to its low profile. It's also able to return to its dock to recharge whenever it's needed.

Although it isn't equipped with some of the latest features, like map-saving and selective room cleaning, the 960's navigation is superior to most other robots. It also has a larger dust bin than the 690.

You can control the 960 with the iRobot HOME app for iOS and Android, which provides various automation options including setting cleaning preferences and a schedule, scheduling spot cleaning, and observing the status of the battery. You can monitor the vacuum's location, and receive notifications if its dirt container is full. The 960 is also compatible with voice commands using Alexa and Google Assistant. The iRobot Roomba 960 makes a ideal choice for the majority of homes. It's well-constructed, incurs less recurring expenses and has a bigger dirt compartment, and can be charged faster than the eufy RoboVac 11. But if you're looking for an inexpensive alternative that performs similarly on bare floors and carpets, consider the Neato Botvac D7.