The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Every Budget

Buying an automated vacuum cleaner requires careful consideration, especially for a tech-savvy audience. It’s important to avoid models that require excessive maintenance or lack essential features.

Important features to consider are stable Wi-Fi connectivity, robust software support, and a focus on privacy. Below, we detail the primary characteristics to assess when selecting a robot vacuum cleaner.

Most smart vacuum cleaners today offer support for both Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems through a dedicated app. In addition, they work via voice commands with smart assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa on Google Nest Home and Amazon Echo devices, respectively.

Manufacturers like Roborock and Ecovacs also offer support for Siri Shortcuts, allowing you to connect the robot vacuum cleaner with the Siri voice assistant on Apple’s HomePod speakers.

The type of robot vacuum cleaner you have can affect how it connects to the internet. For the best experience, it’s important to meet certain requirements. Most robot vacuums need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

Robot vacuum cleaners can map your house to clean each room automatically. Some models use LiDAR sensors, which are like laser scanners, to make a detailed map. This helps the vacuum clean efficiently without missing any spots.

The technology used for mapping, called SLAM, also keeps track of where the vacuum is in your home. This way, it knows which areas it has already cleaned. If you have extra charging stations, some vacuums can even map and clean more than one floor of your house.

Some robot vacuums have cameras to help them see and map your home. They can identify rooms and avoid obstacles for better cleaning. But having a camera on a vacuum cleaner can raise security and privacy concerns for some people.

Robot vacuum cleaners are like athletes with different strength levels: light, medium, and maximum. Think of the premium models as elite athletes who have an extra level, making it four in total. Just like an athlete adjusts their effort based on the challenge, these vacuums can change their suction strength automatically, like when they roll onto a carpet.

In simple terms, suction power is often shown in either Watts or Pascal (Pa), similar to measuring temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. They’re different scales, but both tell you how strong the vacuum is. Most modern vacuums range from 2,000 to 3,000 Pa, enough to pick up most dust and debris.

Remember, the stronger the suction (like a more powerful engine), the more expensive the vacuum usually is. Also, a stronger suction can mean a louder vacuum, much like a louder engine in a powerful car.

Vacuum robots are also like explorers with smart eyes (sensors) that help them navigate. They can dodge everyday obstacles like tables, chair legs, and toys. The fancier models are even smarter, recognizing small items like socks, cables, and avoiding unpleasant surprises like pet accidents.

Think of these robots as ground-level explorers that can’t climb stairs. Some might handle tiny bumps up to 1 cm high, but repeatedly doing this can wear them out, like a hiker’s shoes getting worn down on rough terrain.

If you’re not keen on frequently emptying the dust bag, consider investing in a model with a self-cleaning station. This feature includes a larger dust bag at the base, where the robot vacuum periodically deposits dirt, reducing the need for manual emptying.

This convenient feature is typically found in upper mid-range models and above, but many devices under $1,000 now offer it, increasing their popularity.

The higher-end models, especially those with a mopping function, come equipped with separate tanks for clean and dirty water, and even cleaning products. Future models are even expected to have a permanent water connection, similar to a dishwasher, eliminating the need for refills and making cleanups effortless.

We’ve tested a dozen models and put together a list of the best robot vacuums out there. Our selection covers different categories and price ranges. So, based on your budget, you can quickly find the right model by choosing a category from the list above.

Robot vacuums are an easy way to automate cleaning at home. They can last a long time with proper care and maintenance. However, different models vary in their cleaning efficiency. Prices range from $200 to over $1000, and higher prices generally mean better quality. Models may need to be specific for homes with many carpets or pets.

Despite their convenience, robot vacuums can’t completely replace manual cleaning. It’s advisable to also use a smaller vacuum or canister for dusting corners, baseboards, ceilings, and areas behind large furniture where the robot can’t reach.

Overall, robot vacuums can save time in our busy lives by helping with household chores. While they are helpful, they don’t fully replace the need for human involvement in cleaning.

So, do you already have a robot vacuum cleaner? Would you recommend buying the model with the mopping function? Which is your favorite brand? Share your opinion on the topic in the comments below.

The article was updated in January 2024. Please note that comments made before the update might pertain to earlier versions of the list.