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Permanently knocking one more chore off of your to-do list is always a good thing—and vacuuming is an easy one to automate thanks to robot-cleaners. However, it’s not just about convenience. The newest generation of robot vacuum cleaners are proficient at mapping multiple floor spaces, excel at removing pet fur from the carpet, and feature deep-cleaning mopping modes, which means these high-tech cleaners accomplish the task with an attention to detail that most of us don’t have time for on a daily basis.
I’ve researched, compared, and tested out a number of robot vacuum cleaners to find the models with the most powerful suction, most advanced floor-mapping technologies, and those that deliver the cleanest floors for your money, and these select few made the cut.
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The best robot vacuums are fairly expensive, however you can get a rock-solid Shark ION for under $300 that easily brushes hard floors clean, does a good job of removing debris from the uppermost layers of your carpet, and supports convenient hands-free voice controls. While it lacks the advanced mapping abilities and automatic dustbin emptying of pricier options, the Shark ION’s sensors prevent it from ramming into walls, furniture, and falling over edges, while the roomy dustbin helps it to keep cleaning throughout its maximum battery life of two hours.
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If you’re in the market for a quality robot vacuum cleaner, but aren’t interested in the bells and whistles that come with pricier devices, I recommend the Roborock S8. I’m impressed with its long runtime per charge, strong suction power for pulling mashed-in dust and hair from carpets, and a mopping mode that quickly washes away stuck-on messes.
The S8 is especially well-suited for larger and multi-level homes, as it quickly maps and retains multiple floor plans, and it will immediately get to work as soon as it is put down in one of its memorized areas. Between its suction power, grime-busting mopping mode, and how intuitive its user-friendly app is for setting paths, schedules, and no-go zones, the Roborock S8 feels like a premium robot vacuum without the premium price.
If you need a robot vacuum cleaner packed with useful features alongside the ability to power through all kinds of dirty floors, but are hesitant about paying top-dollar prices, the Roborock S8 is for you.
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Shark put a lot of value within their mid-range AI Ultra, including a HEPA filter that works wonders for removing allergens from your space, strong suction that efficiently collects debris from all floor types, as well as a self-cleaning brush roll optimized for gathering up pet hair. Considering that the AI Ultra self-charges and empties its own dust bin, quickly maps your floor plan with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, and includes a sizable dust bin so it can clean for longer without stopping, it’s a deal at this relatively low price point.
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Some robot vacuums may be able to sweep up dirt and clean up tile and hardwood with a dedicated mopping feature, but the DEEBOT T20 OMNI perfectly combines both cleaning techniques while smoothly transitioning from vacuuming the carpet to swabbing your hard floors and back. In addition to not worrying about the device mopping your carpets by mistake, the T20 features strong scrubbers and uses hot water (131° Fahrenheit) to mop up stubborn stains, remarkably powerful 6000Pa suction for cleaning carpets, and is a snap to program a custom cleaning regimen for your home.
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While most robot vacuum cleaners have a straightforward and minimalist aesthetic, eufy took the Clean X8 Hybrid in a bold direction with its eye-catching copper accents, geometric side ridges, and bold blue parts. I applaud eufy for making their robot an attractive one, but the Clean X8 Hybrid’s exceptionally powerful pet hair-grabbing suction, high-capacity dust bin, and ability to map multiple floors proves that it is much more than a pretty device.
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Whether you have a pet known for their ability to coat the carpet with shed fur, or a generally messy one, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is hands-down the best robot vacuum cleaner for animal lovers. The j9+ effortlessly pulls up thick and long pet hair from the depths of your carpet with its especially powerful suction, and unlike weaker vacuums, its brushes and roller are unlikely to get clogged by fibrous fur. Dog and cat owners will also be impressed with the j9+’s ability to actively avoid running over toys, bowls, and most importantly pet accidents, as it thoroughly cleans your formerly furry floors.
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Having a robot automatically vacuum your space is an excellent time-saving convenience, but no one wants to get their sinuses clogged with dust every time the vacuum is full. Not only is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ relatively affordable, the device self-empties its charging unit so owners only have to toss out its filthy contents once every 60 days. On top of the convenience of cleaning it out once every two months, this robot vacuum cleaner stands out for its wet mopping feature, automatic floor mapping technology, and handy voice controls.
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Robot vacuum cleaners with a mopping feature tend to be fairly expensive, but the Shark Matrix Plus is a moderately priced device that scrubs dirt from hard floors just as effectively as much costlier options. The Matrix Plus is a surprisingly powerful mopper and easily wipes away caked-on stains, despite being safe on all hard floor types, and cleaning both its mopping bin and pads is a snap. I also appreciated this robot vacuum for its powerful suction for cleaning deep into carpets and its signature “matrix” cleaning pattern that effectively covers the entire floor.
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A robot vacuum cleaner’s battery life is a major concern if you have a sizable home, because nothing is quite as disappointing as watching your new device retreat to its charging station before it was able to finish the job. But this robot’s impressive maximum battery life of 210 minutes allows it to cover much more floor space than the average vacuum. Excellent runtime aside, the Ecovacs DEEBOT X2 OMNI also impresses with its enhanced LiDAR mapping and object-avoiding technologies, powerful carpet-cleaning suction, and powerful mopping mode that automatically swaps back to vacuuming the moment it detects carpeting.
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Between its premium allergen-capturing air filter, advanced laser-mapping technology, and relatively low price point for what you get, the Roborock Q5+ is an excellent robot vacuum for first-time buyers. The Q5+ sports an intuitive user-friendly app, above-average suction power (2700Pa), a large bin capacity, an automatic bin-emptying function, as well as a long runtime that combines for a surprisingly efficient cleaning machine. Anyone who wants a robot vacuum with multi-level 3D mapping, voice controls, and an array of safety sensors without the sky-high price tag attached to premium models will get more than their money’s worth with the Q5+.
Some robot vacuum cleaners are made for tidying up carpets or hard floors, while others are equally effective across all surfaces, so the most important step is identifying which models are the best fit for your floor type.
Room size is also a consideration. While a robot vacuum will fit right into the average home, if your space is especially cramped, overloaded with items on the floor, or if you have several floors, it may be best to stick with a traditional vacuum cleaner instead (a lightweight Dyson vacuum may be a good fit for this type of situation).
A lengthy runtime is especially useful for anyone with an extra-large home, as a bigger battery life allows a robot vacuum to cover more area in a single charge.
Everyone loves their cats and dogs, but no one likes the fur and dander they leave all over the place. A regular robot vacuum cleaner will sweep away surface-level dust and dirt, but pet owners should go out of their way to buy a model with a larger dustbin and a notable powerful suction level to more effectively pull pet hair from your carpets.
Accidents happen, which is why some of the best options available incorporate sensors that detect and avoid running over pet waste. Robot vacuums that aren’t made for pets are less likely to incorporate this critical feature, so it’s worth paying extra just in case your best friend has an accident while the robot is on cleaning duty.
Some high-tech robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled via speech using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri (iOS), and other smart home platforms, or with a companion app on your smartphone. It’s handy to tell your vacuum cleaner to pause or stop if it activates during movie night, or adjust its cleaning schedule via a few taps of its app, but it’s also important to select a device that is compatible with your smart home platform of choice.
Since robot vacuum cleaners wildly vary in price, it’s important to consider which models fit your financial situation, while including the features, cleaning ability, and home compatibility you’re looking for. Although generally speaking, the pricier models are more efficient cleaners and incorporate more useful features overall, it’s worth taking the time to consider if the convenience is worth the additional upfront cost for your budget.
Unlike the first robot vacuum cleaners that bumbled about aimlessly, fell down stairs, and found their way into places they didn’t belong, the latest models are adept at navigating homes and cleaning various floor types.
Today’s robot vacuum cleaners use a collection of technologies to easily roll from carpet to hard surfaces, and back again, such as cameras and infrared sensors to map out a safe space to travel while avoiding objects such as furniture, stairs, and miscellaneous objects left on the floor. Some robot vacuums such as the Ecovacs DEEBOT X2 OMNI use LiDAR technology (in this case, dual laser beams) to scan and map the area around it while actively avoiding obstacles.
Other robot vacuum cleaners have sensors that detect various floor types and will automatically adjust its suction power for the best cleaning results possible. This feature is commonplace in robot vacuums with a dedicated mopping feature for managing hard floors.
Although you should check your robot vacuum cleaner’s manual for detailed instructions on routine cleaning and maintenance, here are some general guidelines to keep your device running at peak efficiency.
If your robot vacuum cleaner doesn’t include a self-emptying dust bin, manually empty it whenever it is full.
Regularly clean its filter. Remove and shake it over a trash can to dislodge excess dust, and replace it with a fresh filter as often as indicated in its user manual. If you have airborne allergies, consider doing this outside.
If your robot cleaner doesn’t seem to be cleaning as well as it should, take a closer look at its wheels, sensors, brushes, and rollers. Brushes and rollers can get tangled up in hair, so manually remove or carefully cut away strands with scissors. Grime and debris can cover important sensors and make it more difficult for wheels to spin as they should, so wipe down your machine with a damp cloth if it seems to have a difficult time navigating your home.
There were many important considerations I kept in mind while comparing, researching, and testing a range of models to find the best robot vacuum cleaners on the market today. The most important aspects I noted throughout my trials, research, and product comparisons include features, suction power, versatility, battery life, smart home compatibility, overall value, and price.
Absolutely! Some of the many benefits of owning a robot vacuum cleaner include automatic floor cleaning with minimal effort (emptying the dustbin, placing the robot on its charger, cleaning the device as needed, etc.), the ability to minimize allergens from building up in your home, and the convenience of vacuuming your home with voice commands via your smart home or with the help of its companion smartphone app.
In addition, robot vacuum cleaners are a massive time saver, continuously promote a more hygienic living space, generally make much less sound than cordless vacuum cleaners so you’ll hardly notice one going about its scheduled cleaning during the day, excel at clearing out dust bunnies from hard-to reach spaces from under heavy furniture, and their slim and compact design takes up far less space than a conventional canister vacuum cleaner.
Sure, they tend to be pricier than old-school vacuum cleaners, but the convenience of a robot that maps your floor and regularly cleans your floors on a set timeframe, is worth the investment if you buy a quality model. (If you’re still on the fence and you’re a cat owner who is tired of sweeping up cat litter, read my Litter Robot 4 Review.)
Generally speaking, the average low to mid-priced robot vacuum may last up to three or four years, while premium models are expected to provide over five years of regular cleaning before the machine may need to be replaced.
Expect to get a few more years of use out of it if you properly maintain your robot vacuum cleaner and keep the device clean over time. Note some parts such as the filter, battery, and brushes may wear out and need to be replaced during the lifespan of the vacuum.
Yes, when it comes to efficiently collecting as much dust, dander, hair, dirt, and miscellaneous particles lingering on your floor, a robot vacuum cleaner’s suction power absolutely matters. The models with the highest suction power are especially well suited for cleaning up pet hair and deep cleaning down into carpeting. And if you have a car interior covered with pet hair, read our guide on car vacuums.
No, however many robot vacuum cleaners utilize optional voice controls to activate, pause, resume, and command the robot to return to its docking station. For example, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ supports Amazon Alexa, Siri (iOS), and Google Assistant voice controls.
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