Robot Vacuums: The Best

We have the right pick, no matter if you are against hairy pets or want to spend a lot on high-end laser-guided robots.

The robot vacuum has been the most advanced device I have tested in recent years. Robot vacs are now available at all price points and offer a wide range of features including self-emptying bins, mapping, cameras, and camera capabilities. This will help keep dirt from sticking on your feet as you walk across the floor.

Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of robot vacuums to find the one that’s best suited for an array of needs. We can help you if your house is full of dog hair or your chore load is too heavy. Want to find other home-saving items? We have other helpful home accessories. Unlimited access to WIRED.com, as well our print magazine (if applicable). The work we do each day is funded by subscriptions.

Updated December 20,21. We have added new choices such as iRobot Roomba j7+. Also, we’ve trimmed a few old units.

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Our Runner Up

Each Roborock vacuum was tested from the E20 down to the S6 MaxV. The app’s navigation skills have steadily improved and it has become easier and more intuitive to use over time. A midrange Roborock such as the S4 Max, which we are currently testing, is the best option if you’re looking for the highest value.

Wi-Fi-enabled S4 Max comes with features that aren’t available to cheaper robot vacuums. This robot vacuum does not trip up on the kitchen step. And it can run for up to three hours without a full charge. Also, the dust bin is slightly larger than normal.

Are you looking to upgrade? Roborock’s new S7 was also introduced recently. But, the cost is not justified. S7’s multidirectional rubber roll is less effective than the S4 Max. It lifts dirt and dust from low-pile carpets. You will need to keep following it and picking up small clumps.

The Best

In our annual Wish List, we featured the latest Roomba j7+ from iRobot. Despite the emergence of dozens upon dozens on the market for vacuums, iRobot’s products are still effective and simple to use. I love that the base tube cleaning system never fails or gets clogged. Also, the cleaning base tubes are smaller and have extra storage. It’s rare to find a cleaner base that has this capability. I also tend not to remember where my bags are.

Roomba’s Roomba J7+ features powerful suction as well as some of best navigational software on the market. Genius, iRobot’s new app that allows you to communicate with an app is now available. This feature lets you tell your Roomba your preferences and schedules instead of programming it. It is claimed that smart-recharge will allow the j7+ to return to areas it left behind. My 1,000-square feet downstairs was not covered by its quick initial mapping. He quickly discovered that only one area wasn’t being cleaned.

Ecovacs

TechRadar. A robot vacuum is a machine that sweeps your floor unassisted. It collects dust, dirt and hair. The best vacuums are suitable for carpets as well as hard floors. Some even have their own dust collectors.

A range of sensors such as lasers, built-in cameras and even lasers enable robot vacuums to maneuver around obstructions in the home, like furniture and stairs. The newest models are even smart enough to identify and avoid smaller items such as charging cables, a stray sock, or even pet poop, so you won’t find yourself having to remove these from the brush roll.

Many robot vacuums are so impressive that we consider them to be among the best vacuum cleaners you can buy right now, in part because they can rival the best cordless vacuums when it comes to suction power and battery life. You can use them to vacuum and mop hard floors. Many models are pet-friendly. For those with larger homes, you might also consider an upright vacuum. These have large dust canisters with wider heads and allow for faster floor cleaning.

These vacuums are more difficult to maneuver around than cordless ones. The price range for cordless vacuums is $50/PS50, while they can cost around $130/PS125. These entry-level models do not come with Wi-Fi connectivity or room map capabilities. To get the mid-range models, increase your budget to $250/ PS250. Spend $849.99/PS899.99 to get the highest-end options.

In what ways can a robot vacuum replace your old vacuum cleaner?

These vacuums can be used to clean your floors and collect dust. However, you will still require your regular vacuum for more thorough cleaning. To ensure your vacuuming sessions run as efficiently as possible, our guide on vacuuming properly and how often to vacuum provides many helpful tips.

You may feel confused when it comes time to pick the perfect robot vacuum. There is a lot of options. Brands such as Roomba and Neato offer an array of models, while the likes of Dyson, Shark, and Eufy all have a number of designs too.

A selection of robot vacuums have been tested. They collect fine dust, larger particles from hardwood floors and carpets.

See below our sister title Real Home’s interactive cordless vacuum video.

Test Robot Vacuums

The best robot vacuums were tested by models from Dyson, Shark, Dyson, Roomba and Roborock. We assess the model’s ability to collect dirt on both large and small surfaces.

Apart from evaluating the effectiveness of robot vacuums cleaning floors, we compare their maneuverability on both carpet and hard floors. It is also important to consider whether they follow a straight path through a house or if it follows an irregular pattern that could leave areas unclean. We also looked for robot vacuums that can learn the layout of your home meaning they can be dispatched to clean a certain room or areas in just a few taps.

We rate each robot vacuum on how easy it was to empty, how loud it is in use, and how long the battery lasts between charges, too.

Here are some things to consider when buying a robot vacuum

You should take into account a variety of factors when selecting the robot vacuum cleaner that is right for you.

You need to decide whether your robot vacuum will only vacuum or mops. It is also crucial that you consider the battery life. Nobody wants their home running out of juice halfway through the cleaning. Similarly look for robot vacuums that have large dust canisters, or those that empty their own dust bins, meaning it really can be left to clean your floors unaided.

Some robot vacuums take a methodical path across your floors which ensures the vacuuming process is quick and efficient. These are usually more costly than robotic vacuums that use a random path to clean your floors.

A smart mapping feature allows the robot to learn the layout and clean certain areas. It is ideal for teenagers who often leave their clothes on their bed.

Can robot vacuums be used to remove pet hair?

Like other vacuums, robot vacuums are efficient at removing pet hair and fine dust from floors.

If you are looking for a way to temporarily boost the suction power of thick-pile carpets and rugs, designs that offer Turbo or Boost mode are great.

The best models to choose are ones that have rubber brushes that are free from bristles so the per hair doesn’t get trapped around them. Although that’s not to say robot vacuums with bristled brush bars aren’t as effective at collecting the hair. Look for one with an integrated tool to remove pet or human hair.

Are Robot Vacuums Worth It?

It’s worth investing in a robot vacuum if your time is limited or you have a pet that sheds. The robot vacuums can also be used by pet owners. A basic robotic vacuum will keep your pets clean and tidy on a daily base.

Robot vacuums require input and time. You will need to create a map to help you define which areas of your home you would like them to clean. And even the best vacuums may get stuck.

The robot vacuums won’t be able replace upright, stick or canister vacuums. They aren’t the best tools for taking care of household accidents or heavily soiled areas, and if they end up running over anything messy (pet waste or spilled liquids) they can make things worse.

Even the most powerful models cannot reach every corner and difficult-to-reach area.

But for staying ahead of dust and dirt buildup, they’re solid investments that will save you time, and as part of an overall cleaning schedule they make a lot of sense.

Consider the layout of your home and whether you have mostly hardwood floors or deep-pile carpeting. A robot vacuum requires a lot more input if you have a Victorian home with medium-to high-pile carpeting. However, if you live in a more modern, open-flow style of home with tile or hardwood floors, a robot vacuum is a great option. The first thing you need to do is decide how much time you will spend prepping your home for the vacuum.

One of the most affordable vacuums is available if you’re willing to take care not only picking up lamps cords but also toys. These robots such as our budget recommendation, the Eufy 11s typically run in a random “bump and run” fashion, and don’t have any smart mapping features, so they’ll run for a long period of time to clean the whole house instead of progressing intelligently from room to room.

Just because you aren’t spending much money on smart devices doesn’t guarantee you will have a tidy house. Our testing revealed that there were some models that can clean just as well as more expensive options.

If your time and energy are not available to prepare the house for vacuuming, we recommend the LiDAR connected robot vacuums. You will avoid the headache of cleaning up after the first setup by mapping out your house and setting up “no go zones” in the app.

While these models cost more, they offer the ability to set cleaning schedules, clean specific areas, and control vacuums with voice assistants (such as Alexa and Google Assistant).

Best Robotic Vacuums Of 2021

Consumer Reports tests show that the best-performing robotvacs today are not just for geeks. We may make affiliate commissions if you purchase through our retailer links. The nonprofit we support receives 100 percent of the commissions that they collect.

Are you tired of vacuuming up dust and other dirt from your floor? The robotic vacuum cleaner may be your new friend.

While a robotic vacuum will not replace your canister or upright model, they are able to do simple, hassle-free floor cleaning. The CR lab tested numerous robotic vacuums. We are confident that the best machines will find a permanent home in your home. CR’s vacuum testers review how the robot vacuum handles surface dust on carpets of medium density and bare floors. We also assess its ability to reach corners with ease and maneuver through different rooms. Because many robot vacuums are connected to the Internet, our experts assess the security and data privacy of every connected vacuum. (Data security assesses whether a robotic vacuum incorporates security measures such as encryption. Data privacy examines privacy setting options and publicly available documents, such as privacy policies and terms of service, to see how manufacturers collect and use your data.) The ratings are based on member experiences with more that 9,000 robotic vacuums.

Eight standouts have been selected from CR’s stringent robotic vacuum test results. For complete test results and even more options, see our robotic vacuum ratings ; and check out our vacuum cleaner buying guide to find out how robotic vacuums compare with other types of vacuum cleaners.

The carpet cleaner earned a high rating during our carpet cleaning testing and an outstanding rating on bare floors. Even though it may not be the most effective cleaner, some testers say that it can sometimes leave behind debris. However, the unit does the job and is quiet. It also has a cliff sensor which prevents the machine from falling down stairs. It is not WiFi-enabled so it cannot be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. In our survey of members, Eufy robotic vacuums earned an Excellent rating for reliability. We also gave it a Very High owner satisfaction score.

Roomba Roomba

Commentary by CR. The i3+ Roomba iRobot Roomba gets an Excellent rating during our pet-hair test, due in large part to its rubber brush rolling. It’s one of the bigger models on this list and doesn’t get tripped up on the power cords in the room. The navigation is excellent and the unit runs very quietly. The only problem is that you will need to buy replacement vacuum bags, which are not expensive. Although the manufacturer has mixed results regarding data protection, they have a Very Good rating for data privacy and an Excellent rating in terms of data security. iRobot is the sole company that claims it will release updates to correct security holes and offer security researchers access to a vulnerability management program. A third selling point is that iRobot robotic vacuums are rated Very Good for their predictability and satisfaction.

IRobot Roomba

CR’s Take: This top-of the-line Roomba® i7+ vacuum cleans floors quickly and efficiently. The robot will empty the contents of the box into its dock automatically when it returns home. It can clean more floors than any other robotic vacuums, so you don’t have to do anything except empty the boxes. Smart technology means that you can use your smartphone to start cleaning or voice command it using Google Assistant or Alexa. However, it is recommended that pets hair be manually extracted from the brush by our testers.

The vacuum is an excellent performer in the CR’s testing, scoring Excellent on both pet hair and bare floor tests. The vacuum has smart-mapping technology that allows it to learn, map, and adapt to the areas to be cleaned. iRobot promises to replace your vacuum if it fails to remove pet waste within a year. Navigation is top-notch and this vacuum easily slides under and around furniture. Roomba j7 has the lowest score of any iRobot for data security. The Roomba J7 is rated as a Good for Data Privacy, which it shares with all other iRobots.

Which Brand Of Robot Vacuum Is The Best?

The best robot vacuum? iRobot Roomba Roomba S9+ This robotic vacuum offers powerful suction as well as excellent dust and dirt removal. On hardwood floors this Roomba picked up an average of 93% of our test sand, the second-highest amount in our test group.Dec 17, 2021

Vacuuming robotics are worth it?

Conclusion. The robot vacuum cleaner makes a great addition for your home. It gives you the freedom to focus on what you like most, not vacuuming. Robot vacuum cleaners don’t take up extra space and can make a wonderful addition to your house cleaning tools.