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Best Robot Vacuums

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Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Robot Vacuums

Who knew the humble and regular vacuum would one day turn into a dazzling feat of technological advancement? Robot vacuums of every price point have become some of the most highly-coveted household appliances, with features ranging from WiFi connectivity to room mapping capabilities — certainly an upgrade since the time of the first robot vacuum, the Electrolux Trilobite. They go where no man (or vacuum) has yet gone, reaching different corners in the name of cleanliness.

With their popularity, robot vacuums have become less of a luxury item and more a necessity. Pet owners, busy parents, and workaholics alike have sung the praises of these automated cleaning machines. Here, we take a look and test some of the best robot vacuums available today.


Which is the Best Robot Vacuum?

Editor's Choice

Best Robot Vacuums for 2024
Best Overall
Best Robot Vacuums for 2024
Best Budget Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuums for 2024
Best Multifunctional Robot Vacuum
iRobot Roomba S9+

The iRobot Roomba S9+ is programmed with advanced technology, and high-end features, and designed to last a long time for much of your convenience and floor cleaning needs.

Eufy RoboVac 11s

The Eufy RoboVac 11s can slide in and glide out of furniture without a problem while assuring you that it can efficiently clean for a long time.

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI is a versatile and multifunctional robot vacuum that also serves a mop with an included security camera and microphone for added monitoring.

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Let’s Go Over Each Top Robot Vacuum

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

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iRobot is consistently one of the top brands for robot-vacs, and the Roomba S9+ is the perfect example of its unique technology. Be warned that it’s a little pricey, so if you prefer a budget-friendly model, we have a few on the list too.

The Roomba S9+ is the perfect vacuum. Automatic dirt disposal makes it the self-emptying bin feature a breeze. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The S9+ has added multiple sensors to its lineup for the best and quickest mapping technology possible. Additionally, this makes it easier for you to set no-go zones. 

You’ve also got the 3D sensors, drop sensors, cliff sensors, and top-mounted optical sensors — all to perfectly capture the layout of your home. This assures you that your entire space can be included in the S9+’s cleaning cycle while avoiding keep-out zones. 

It also has refined edging capabilities to better clean around beds, corners, and cabinets. During the test, we noticed that the Roomba barely needed any maneuvering around sharp corners and tight spaces. It also has great obstacle avoidance from furniture legs and chair legs to stray shoelaces lying around. This is as close to a hands-free cleaning experience as you’ll get. Bonus perks: it has voice commands compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba S9+

ProsCons
✔️ Comes with self-emptying dust bin and charging station
✔️ Works great on low-pile carpets and area rugs
✔️ Great edge cleaning capacity
✔️ Advanced sensors
✔️ Excellent obstacle avoidance
✖️ Expensive
✖️ Replacement bags for the base are sold separately

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

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A few years ago, you might have seen the Eufy RoboVac 11s touted as one of the best. It’s still a worthy pick, but the lack of WiFi connectivity that has become the standard sadly phases this model out. Instead, you’ll need a remote control to operate the vacuum.

But what makes the Eufy RoboVac 11s so popular in the first place isn’t the advanced features, but its price point and the size: with a diameter of 12.8 inches and a height of 2.5, there’s no other robot vacuum out there that can slide in and out of cabinets and couches with agility making the Eufy RoboVac 11s the best budget robot vacuum with superior cleaning power.

If you have bare floors (this model doesn’t do well with low-pile carpet or area rugs), the 11s can pick up debris, fur, and other surface dirt without a hitch. Certainly, for a low price point, the Eufy RoboVac 11s is an excellent model to have as it can still do a great job at cleaning! Albeit, you might just have to sacrifice some of the features that other vacuums can give.

Nonetheless, if you prefer models that are simple and don’t want to complicate yourself with settings, then the Eufy RoboVac 11s is the one for you.

Pros and Cons of the Eufy RoboVac 11s

ProsCons
✔️ Affordable
✔️ Can easily slide under furniture and objects
✔️ Robot runs on long battery life
✖️ Not ideal for rugs
✖️ No WiFi connectivity
✖️ Cannot create virtual walls

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

While most robot vacuums try to out-size, out-speed, and out-”smart” each other, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo packs on functionality. The T8 AIVI is more than a vacuum: it’s also a mop and one with an included camera and microphone at that. All this to perfect the navigation system and obstacle detection when it’s trying to craft the map of your house.

The powerful Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 is no damsel in distress. As per our testing and after a cleaning session or two, the robot vac rarely needed rescuing whenever it bumped into the edge of a closet or ran across stray objects like dog toys and phone cords. The mop-and-vacuum function also significantly reduces cleaning time. But as other reviewers have pointed out, having a built-in camera with direct access to your house can be a security hazard.

Pros and Cons of the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

ProsCons
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ High-end navigation system for targeted room cleaning
✔️ Sophisticated obstacle detection
✔️ Has a mopping system
✔️ Works well on hard floor, bare floors, and carpets
✖️ Expensive
✖️ Software is limited
✖️ Not as efficient at mopping as a dedicated robot mop

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For all the joys having a pet brings us, pet hair can be incredibly frustrating to clean — even with the pricier robot vacuums. Our tip? Invest in a robot vacuum with a rubber roller brush for maximum cleaning power such as the Samsung POWERbot R7040. That way you won’t have to spend precious time going over your floors twice and second-guessing if you could clean out all the fur, dirt, and debris.

The Samsung POWERbot R7040 performs equally well on hardwood floors, bare floors, tile floors, and carpeted surfaces, and removes fur with crazy determination. Unlike a traditional vacuum cleaner, this more than capable robot vacuum works for and around your time. Try setting a cleaning schedule for the next week using the smartphone app for a hands-free approach.

Pros and Cons of the Samsung POWERbot R7040

ProsCons
✔️ Works well on multiple surfaces
✔️ Powerful cleaning performance
✔️ Powerful suction easily cleans up layers of pet hair like dog hair
✖️ Does not have a self-empty feature
✖️ Mid-tier model

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

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iRobot has been around since 2002, so it’s no surprise they have plenty of room for sophisticated upgrades. If the S9+ is a little over the budget, its younger sibling is your next best bet. 

The iRobot Roomba i3+ outlasts all other robot vacuums in durability, features, suction power, and even price. The long battery life ensures you can let the Roomba roam free without having to save it or empty the dust cup now and then. Did we mention the charging docking station includes a self-emptying bin feature? The i3+ will even help you store debris out of the robot and straight to the disposable bag automatically. The best news of all, you only need to change said disposable bag once a month (or depending on how often you use the robot vacuum and how much debris is collected), which makes cleaning more convenient for you.

We also test other robot vacs on different surfaces to see where they succeed and where they fall short. The i3+ unsurprisingly does well on all floor types but is notable for its performance on medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. 

The best robot vacuum cleaner will also make your life easier with updated features that allow you to control it remotely. With that said, like the other Roombas, the i3+ one is voice-compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. 

However, we noticed that this robot vacuum takes longer to map out certain trick corners and edges around the room, so it’s best to watch over your Roomba i3+ on its first few runs. Nonetheless, all its features still make the Roomba i3+ one of the best robot vacuum cleaners out there.

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba i3+

ProsCons
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ Durable and reliable robot vacuum cleaner
✔️ Self-emptying robot vacuum with automatic dirt disposal feature, dock, and dustbinn
✔️ Ideal for cleaning specific rooms
✔️ Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and voice control
✖️ Minor software issues

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Ever had a robot vacuum get stuck on pet waste? Neither have we, but we’d like to avoid that if possible. The Roborock S6 Max features some pretty neat object detection skills that allow it to identify and consequently dodge any potential impediments that may get caught in the brush roll, whether it’s pet hair or even pet waste. The 2.5kPa of suction power makes sure of it.

Of course, you’re paying for these perks at a dear price. But as far as advanced models

 go, the S6 Max is worth the investment if you want a hassle-free cleaning session and cycle. Do remember that for a premium price, you are also purchasing a high-end robot vacuum with LIDAR navigation. Said technology helps the Roborock S6 MaxV make a more accurate cleaning path without the need for a physical remote control to help guide it.

Pros and Cons of the Roborock S6 MaxV

ProsCons
✔️ Superior object and solid pet waste detection capabilities
✔️ Powerful suction
✔️ Designed to easily remove pet hair and fine dust particles
✔️ Great for most surfaces, even carpets
✔️ Has a companion app to help power and program the model
✖️ Expensive compared to a standard robot vacuum
✖️ Does not automatically avoid carpet while mopping unless No-Mop zones are created

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

If the S6 is a little too high-end for your needs, the midrange S4 Max is the perfect substitute. We test robot vacuums on almost every floor type, and while this one trips a little on bumps and uneven surfaces, it’s safe to say it has a staggeringly good performance for its price point. Hardwood floors are the perfect field for letting this thing break loose, but it does a fine cleaning job on tiles, too.

The battery life is spectacular, allowing for three hours of use on just a single charge. The only problem is we had to check up on the dust bin and empty it every once in a while mid-clean, despite the seemingly large bin. 

We’ve also named this the best smart vacuum because of its smartphone app compatibility. However, the real kicker here is its boatload of features. Mapping abilities and no-go zones are usually found in much costlier vacuums, but they’re a pleasant surprise in this midrange one.

Pros and Cons of the Roborock S4 Max

ProsCons
✔️ Up to three hours of battery life on a single charge
✔️ Mid-range price with high-end features
✔️ App control and WiFi connectivity capable
✔️ Easily cleans up pet hair and debris on bare floors
✔️ Has a companion app to help power and program the model
✖️ Less stable on uneven and carpeted surfaces

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is a powerhouse vacuum that is hailed as one of Roomba’s best robot vacuums for pet hair. This model is specifically designed for pet owners whose furry friends stay indoors. It has smart technology that can avoid pet waste and higher suction power that can pick up pet hair on carpeted floors, bare floors, and multiple floors of various types. Aside from cleaning up after fur, the Romoba j7+ can excellent debris pickup performance amidst cluttered floors.

It’s a double-duty vacuum that has one of the most advanced technology any iRobot model has. It’s equipped with iRobot OS Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation to help it avoid obstacles, learn to keep out zones, and memorize a home’s floor plan.

Similar to iRobot’s other premium models, the Roomba j7+ can empty its own dust bag and clean out its base. Thus, you can save yourself a trip from the trash can cause this vacuum can literally do all the cleaning for you.

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba j7+

ProsCons
✔️ Ideal for pet owners
✔️ Self-emptying
✔️ Controllable via the iRobot App, Google Assistant, and Alexa
✔️ Equipped with smart features and technology
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ Equipped with AI-powered obstacle avoidance
✖️ P.O.O.P. is only applicable for cat and dog waste
✖️ Expensive vacuum
✖️ Can get incredibly loud when cleaning

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Among all the vacuums we’ve tested, this is the one that impressed us the most. At $200, you’re getting the most bang for your buck: the Bissell SpinWave is a 2-in-1 robovac and mop that comes with a dry tank and a wet tank for a more customized cleaning performance. It’s one of the best mop and robot vacuum units in the market.

You might be thinking this is just another cop-out — plenty of other vacuum-mop hybrids do nothing more than drag a wet microfiber cloth across the floor, as mentioned by an Amazon reviewer. 

However, the Bissell has spinning mop pads that actually vacuum the floor as it mops, making it effective on hard floors and tiled surfaces. Its mopping system can detect no-mop zones too, so there’s no need to worry about getting your carpets wet when this thing is in mop mode.

For best performance, use the dedicated cleaning solutions for the Bissell and make sure its water tank has clean water whenever the robot cleans. Checking on its mopping pad from time to time would also go far in the cleaning performance of the Bissell.

Pros and Cons of the Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum

ProsCons
✔️ 2-in-1 hybrid robot vacuum
✔️ Has a dry mode for removing pet hair, debris, and dust from carpeted and hard floors
✔️ Has its own mop pads and water tank
✔️ Wet mode scrubs the floors clean, even dried-on stains
✔️ More affordable than other robot vacuums
✖️ Has the tendency to get stuck on corners and edges

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Shark IQ R101A is one of the best self-emptying robot vacuums on the list, especially for people who own pets. Its XL dust bin is perfect for cleaning up layers of fur lying around on the floor, and under hard-to-reach surfaces. 

Thank goodness it’s budget-friendly, too. If you’re not looking to splurge on a Roomba just yet, the Shark IQ robotic vacuum does almost as well. During our device test, there were a few issues with automatic mounting — you might have to lend a hand once it’s time for the Shark to go back to the dock. However, for its price, we’re not complaining and we would have to say it’s one of the easiest robot vacuums to use.

Pros and Cons of the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101A

ProsCons
✔️ Compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant
✔️ Self-emptying
✔️ Affordable
✔️ Extra-large dust bin
✖️ Minor issues with automatic docking

Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Finally, we’ve got another budget-friendly robot vacuum to cap off our list. The iLife V3S Pro Robot Vacuum is perfect for those who just want a simple automatic cleaner that can take the load off their hands every once in a while. At less than $200, the iLife V3S is incredibly affordable.

That said, its functionality may be considered primitive by some people who like high-end gadgets. It doesn’t have much in the way of scheduling, virtual maps, and so on, but what it can do, it does really well.

Its strength is in picking up tiny debris, like cat litter, dog hair, and small pieces of food, which is why we recommend it for people who own it for added help in cleaning up after their furry loved ones.

Pros and Cons of the iLife V3S Pro Robot Vacuum

ProsCons
✔️ Incredibly affordable
✔️ Excellent debris pickup performance
✔️Durable
✖️ Low suction power
✖️ Lacks advanced technology and features

Are Robot Vacuums Worth It?

Let’s face it — no one wants dust sticking to the soles of their feet every time they’re trying to get things done around the house. Mopping and push vacuuming can be a time-consuming chore, so why not get an automated friend to do the work for you?

Thanks to the popularity of robot vacuums, gone are the days of dropping a fortune on a robotic device. Plenty of “budget” models are available for public consumption, and they’re no less handy than their pricier counterparts. Plus, they’re one of the most durable appliances to invest in — not just some gimmicky gadget.

Here are three more reasons why it’s worth investing in one at home.

Semi-Autonomous Smart Cleaning

If you want to keep your home clean and spotless 24/7 but unfortunately also run a busy schedule, then a robot vacuum is a great cleaning device to have. Whether you are at home or not, you can power your robot vacuum from an app and have it start cleaning so you arrive at a spotless abode. For some models, you can even schedule the days and timeslots when you would want them to start cleaning. That way, you won’t have to miss any cleaning days again!

Premium units even have high-tech features and technology such as camera-based mapping, LIDAR-based mapping, and gyroscope mapping to help with smart cleaning. These technologies will help robot vacuums target specific areas at home that need more cleaning while also memorizing the layout of the entire area without the use of virtual walls.

Self-Charging and Self-Sustaining

After a cleaning session, some vacuums have a feature that will program them to return to their docking stations to charge. That means you won’t need to pick it up and place it back in their docks as they can automatically do it themselves. There are even models that can detect when they are running low on battery while they’re in the middle of a cleaning session. When this happens, they will take it upon themselves to go back to the docking station and charge.

In case you prefer not to get your hands dirty, premium robot vacuum cleaners have a self-emptying dustbin that will automatically take out the collected dirt and debris once they have docked in the station. Depending on the size of the dustbin of the robot vacuum cleaner and how regularly you use the model, then you may need to dispose of the bag accordingly.

Smart Home Integration

As convenience is a major selling point of these smart cleaning devices, there’s nothing more than having your robot vacuum integrated into your home. Most models nowadays can now be connected to your wifi, come with an app, and can be voice-controlled through Alexa and Google Assistant.


Four Tips for Using Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Now, just because these things operate on their own doesn’t mean you’re completely hands-free. To make the most out of your cleaning sessions, here are some tips to go by.

Check the Bin

Depending on how much dog hair is lying around in the crevices of your house, your robot vac’s waste bin might fill up sooner than you think. If you don’t have a self-emptying model, check your robot vac mid-run to see if the bin is filled with pet hair or dust bunnies. Most units work best when their dustbins have extra room.

Monitor and Test Robot Vacuums for the First Few Runs

Your robot vacuum is going to take some time to really know your house — quirks and all. Make sure to be there when your new friend takes its baby steps so you can note any virtual no-go zones, lumpy area rugs, dangerous spikes, or traps like pieces of string that might get caught in the machinery.

Clean During the Day

Most units are able to operate using an optic sensor that relies on light, so it’s safe to say it’s going to really work hard if you have it run during midnight. Set cleaning schedules during the daytime.

Keep Your Push Vac

Don’t throw away your old manual vacuum just yet. After monitoring your robot vacuum, you might notice that there are some spots it just can’t reach on its own. That’s completely normal. Just make sure you still have your handy, manually-operated vacuum with you to get to those hot spots.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Shark robot vacuum cleaner better than an iRobot Roomba robot vacuum cleaner?

Is a Wyze Robot Vacuum good?

What is the most powerful robotic vacuum cleaner?

Are robot vacuums expensive?

Can a robot vacuum replace a normal vacuum?

What is a good robot vacuum for pet hair?


Final Note

We’re all lucky to live in a time when robots can do even the most taxing chores for us. Whatever your needs may be, we hope this guide on the best robot vacuums was helpful in your hunt for the perfect clean-up buddy. Should you need more guidance, then do check out our ultimate robot vacuum buying guide to help you determine the right model for you.


Best Robot Vacuums for 2023

Editor’s Choice

iRobot Roomba S9+

It’s hard not to think of the iRobot Roomba S9+ when someone says robot vacuum — the two words are practically synonymous. It’s no surprise. iRobot makes some of the best robot vacuums in the market, and if you’re looking for an appliance to actually last a long time, the Roomba is your best bet.

We all love a self-emptying bin, and it’s safe to say the S9+ has the best one out of the box. Wired named this model the “absolute best” robot vacuum you could get. We could only guess why: it’s programmed with advanced technology that actually works. 

A self-emptying bin, impeccable mapping capabilities, trustworthy navigation software, and a sensor with top-of-the-line edging capabilities are just some of the things that make the S9+ a vacuum bot a reliable investment and the top in our best robot vacuum list.


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Sota Takahashi

Sota Takahashi is a Japanese-born electrical engineer. At the age of 18, he moved to Seattle and completed his Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Washington, Seattle. Being a fan of all things tech, he channels his geeky side through this website, and with his wife Linda, shares knowledge about robot pets and how they can be lifelong and advantageous companions for both children and the elderly.

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