Best Robot Vacuums for 2022

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It’s hard not to think of the Roomba 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 Roomba 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 this vacuum bot a reliable investment.

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iRobot is consistently one of the top brands when it comes to robo-vacs, and the Roomba S9+ is the perfect example of their 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, simply put, 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. You’ve got the 3D sensors, drop sensors, cliff sensors, and top-mounted optical sensor — all to perfectly capture the layout of your home.

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 or stray shoelaces lying around. This is as close to a hands-free cleaning experience you’ll get. Bonus perks: it has voice commands compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. 

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba S9+

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A few years ago, you might have seen this model touted as the best robot vacuum out there. 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 vac.

But what makes this bot 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. 

As long as you have bare floors (this model doesn’t do well with low-pile carpet or area rugs), the 11s can pick up debris, pet hair, and other surface dirt without a hitch.

Pros and Cons of the Eufy RoboVac 11s

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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 a stray object. The mop-and-vacuum function also significantly reduces cleaning time. But as other reviewers have pointed out, having a camera with direct access to your house can be a security hazard.

Pros and Cons of the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

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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 bot with a rubber roller brush for maximum cleaning power. That way you won’t have to spend precious time going over your floors twice. 

The POWERbot performs equally well on hardwood floors, bare floors, tile floors, and carpeted surfaces, and removes pet hair with crazy determination. Unlike a traditional vacuum, this robovac works for and around your personal 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

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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 i3+ outlasts all other robot vacuums in durability, features, suction power, and even price. The long battery life ensures you can actually let the Roomba roam free without having to save it or empty the dust cup every now and then. Did we mention the charging dock includes a self-emptying bin feature?

We also test robot vacuums on different surfaces to see where it succeeds and where it falls short. The i3+ unsurprisingly does well on all floor types but is perhaps notable for its performance on a medium-pile carpet and hardwood floors. 

However, we also noticed it takes longer to map out certain trick corners and edges around the room, so it’s best to watch over your Roomba on its first few runs. Like the other Roombas, this one is voice-compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba i3+ 

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

Of course, you’re paying for these perks with a dear price. But as far as advanced robot vacuums go, the S6 Max is worth the investment if you really want a hassle-free cleaning cycle.

Pros and Cons of the Roborock S6 Max

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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 features and no-go zones are usually found in much costlier robot vacuums, but they’re a pleasant surprise in this midrange one.

Pros and Cons of the Roborock S4 Max

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If you’re just looking for a step up from traditional vacuums without having to drop a fortune on some sophisticated (and unnecessary) features, then the Roomba 694 might be to your liking. It’s iRobot’s mid-range option and at around $300, you’re getting impeccable navigation capabilities, edge detection features, and WiFi connectivity. 

The app lets you use your phone as a remote control for setting up scheduled cleaning sessions and even operate using voice commands. We were honestly impressed by the quality of the sensors on this thing, especially for its price. The suction adjusts according to how dirty specific rooms are so you don’t really have to watch over it to see if it misses a spot or a stray dog hair.

Pros and Cons of the iRobot Roomba 694

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Among all the robot 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.

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 pads that actually vacuum the floor as it mops, making it effective on hard floors and tiled surfaces. It can detect no-mop zones too, so there’s no need to worry about getting your rugs all wet when this thing is in mop mode.

Pros and Cons of the Bissell Spinwave Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

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Second to the last on our list for the best robot vacuum is another automatic bin-emptying vac. It seems like the biggest market demographic for a robotic vacuum is pet owners, because this thing has an XL dust bin that’s perfect for cleaning up layers of pet hair lying around on the floor, in carpets, 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.

Pros and Cons of the Shark IQ

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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 pet owners who need a little help with cleaning up.

Pros and Cons of the iLife V3S