Best Robotic Vacuums

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 26, 2023
Everyone knows that keeping the house clean can be a great challenge; vacuuming and sweeping floors take up quite a lot of time. ...Read more
PROS

The Keep Out Zones option allows the robot vacuum to clean only those areas of the floor that you think should be cleaned. At the same time, the virtual barriers will not let the vacuum cleaner go where it shouldn't.

CONS

The tank volume is too small and will need to be emptied frequently.

OUR VERDICT

The iRobot Roomba i7 7150 is a robot vacuum cleaner that will impress you with high cleaning efficiency and a well-thought-out navigation system. The device is capable of performing thorough dry cleaning on carpets, tiles, parquet and other hard floors.

detailed parameters
CLEANING EFFICIENCY

3-stage cleaning system, 10X power-lifting suction, Dual multi-surface rubber brushes, Side brush

SENSORS

Wi-Fi connected, Dirt detect technology, Cliff detect sensors, Auto-adjust cleaning head, Automatically recharged

PROGRAMMING CLEAN-UPS

Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App

AUTOMATIC CLEANING PATTERNS

Multiple modes to choose from

CLEANING AREA PER CHARGE

~2000 sq. ft.

RUN TIME

75 minutes

HEALTH BENEFITS

High-efficiency filter

DUST BIN CAPACITY

~ 8 oz

PACKAGE

North American line cord, Home Base® charging station, Extra high-efficiency filter, Extra side brush

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Self-cleaning brush roll minimizes the chances of hair tangling, which may affect the suction power. Dual edge and corner brushes ensure effective cleaning near the edges. You can also set the vac for cleaning in particular rooms only.

CONS

The autonomous run time is relatively short.

OUR VERDICT

This model may bring the house cleaning to a completely new level. You won't need to worry that the device will stop cleaning when the dust bit gets full since it automatically throws everything on the self-empty base (holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris). This way, you can set it and forget!

detailed parameters
CLEANING EFFICIENCY

3-point cleaning system: Side brushes, Self-cleaning rolling brush, Powerful suction

SENSORS

Wi-Fi connected, IQ NAV™ navigation system with Home Mapping feature

PROGRAMMING CLEAN-UPS

Scheduled for daily clean-ups with Shark Clean app or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant

AUTOMATIC CLEANING PATTERNS

Eco, Normal, Max Modes

CLEANING AREA PER CHARGE

~1000 sq. ft.

RUN TIME

60 minutes

HEALTH BENEFITS

Non-washable filter (cleaning - every week, replacing - every two months)

DUST BIN CAPACITY

Self-empty base (holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris)

PACKAGE

Self-Empty™ charging base, 2 side brushes, BotBoundary® strips

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

It's made of scratch-resistant tempered glass. And thanks to the BoostlQ™ technology, this vacuum automatically increases the suction power when extra strength is required.

CONS

The dust bin isn't very easy to empty.

OUR VERDICT

The Eufy RoboVac 11S is a super-powerful cleaner for removing the most stubborn dirt. It's super slim, thus it can vacuum under low-hanging furniture and other hard-to-reach spots where pet hair is likely to lurk.

detailed parameters
CLEANING EFFICIENCY

З-point cleaning system: Side brushes, Rolling brush, Powerful suction. BoostlQ™ Technology.

SENSORS

Infrared-sensor for evading obstacles, Drop-sensing tech to avoid falls, Recharges automatically

PROGRAMMING CLEAN-UPS

Scheduled for daily clean-ups

AUTOMATIC CLEANING PATTERNS

Auto mode, Edge mode, Spot mode, Random mode

CLEANING AREA PER CHARGE

~ 1400 sq. ft.

RUN TIME

90 minutes

HEALTH BENEFITS

Triple-filter system 

DUST BIN CAPACITY

20 oz

PACKAGE

Remote control (2 AAA batteries included), Charging base, AC power adapter, Cleaning tool. Extra set of high-performance filters, 4 side brushes, 5 cable ties

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Thanks to OpticEye motion tracking and two gyroscopes, this vacuum cleaner creates an algorithm and moves along a more optimal route, which allows you to clean more efficiently without skipping. This device is highly autonomous.

CONS

The app can be glitchy or unresponsive.

OUR VERDICT

The Roborock E4 is a robot vacuum cleaner suitable not only for dry but also for wet cleaning due to the water tank, which can be purchased separately. This vacuum cleaner automatically empties its trash container. The device can be controlled using the voice assistant.

detailed parameters
CLEANING EFFICIENCY

2000pa power suction, Main brush, Side brush

SENSORS

Onboard gyroscopes monitor, LED-based OpticEye motion tracking system, Inertial Navigation with 13 types of sensor, Automatic top-up charging

PROGRAMMING CLEAN-UPS

Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere, with the Mi Home app

AUTOMATIC CLEANING PATTERNS

Silent mode, Balanced mode, Turbo mode, Max mode

CLEANING AREA PER CHARGE

2152 sq. ft.

RUN TIME

200 minutes

HEALTH BENEFITS

Washable filter

DUST BIN CAPACITY

21.6 oz

PACKAGE

Charging dock, Power cable

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically adapts its height to always keep Multi-Surface Brushes in close contact with various types of floor surfaces in your home.

CONS

Delivered without virtual wall.

OUR VERDICT

The iRobot Roomba 675 is a highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that will clean the room continuously for one and a half hours and then automatically return to the Home Base charging station. Its work can be programmed for 7 days a week or on another schedule convenient for you.

detailed parameters
CLEANING EFFICIENCY

3-stage cleaning system, Dual multi-surface brushes, Specially designed edge-sweeping brush, Strong vacuum suction

SENSORS

Wi-Fi connected, Use with iRobot Home App, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Dirt Detect™ sensors, Cliff detect sensors, Auto-adjust cleaning head, Automatically recharges, iAdapt Navigation with full suite of sensors

PROGRAMMING CLEAN-UPS

Clean and schedule anytime, from anywhere with the iRobot HOME App

AUTOMATIC CLEANING PATTERNS

Multiple modes to choose from

CLEANING AREA PER CHARGE

~2000 sq. ft.

RUN TIME

90 minutes

HEALTH BENEFITS

Washable filter

DUST BIN CAPACITY

20.3 oz

PACKAGE

Home Base charging station, North American line cord, Extra filter, Flat cleaning tool, Owner's guide and documentation package

WARRANTY

1 year

Smart Cleaning to a ‘T’

Tired of your robot vacuum wandering aimlessly all around the house? The iRobot Roomba i7 has a smart navigation system and knows exactly where to clean – and how to do it.

Roomba is equipped with vSLAM navigation system that works like a clock. It starts by learning the layout of your house (be careful: this may take up to a few hours) and maps it out, making it easy to clean and navigate in effective rows.

But that’s not all. You can rely on Roomba’s AI entirely – or use the iRobot Home app to program it the way you want. For instance, you can tell your little helper to stay away from certain objects which you don’t want to be disturbed. Let’s say, you have pet bowls on the floor and don’t want the vacuum to mess with them. No problem; it will steer clear of your pets’ food supplies and won’t be pushing them around. The same goes for vents – or just about anything you’d want.

Roomba also learns your cleaning habits and makes personalized suggestions as to the cleaning schedule. Pet shedding season? This smart vacuum will offer some additional cleanup sessions. Don’t worry, it won’t confuse your kitchen with the bedroom – and will do exactly what is necessary.

Every Spot Is Covered

Kids made a mess on the floor? Cat knocked over a plant pot for the umptieth time? Roomba is coming to the rescue. It can target certain areas within the room and be directed to the exact location of the mess. As it’s compatible with Google and Amazon voice assistants, all you have to do is give it a command, and voilà, everything is neat and clean again.

This vacuum is indispensable for households with pets. The upscale dual rubber brushes are not scared of pet hair and adjust to not lose contact with the floor or carpet surface. The high efficiency filter will do its best to trap 99% of dander allergens from cats and dogs. In fact, you’ll be impressed at how much hair it can catch – and find yourself in a much cleaner house or apartment.

While the rolled-up carpet areas may be somewhat of a problem, Roomba runs smoothly on the flat surfaces and doesn’t fall down the stairs. It has, however, a rather small inside capacity, so you’ll have to empty the dust collector frequently.

Summing up, Roomba robot vacuum is your smart cleaning assistant that knows every corner of your house and keeps it exceptionally clean.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GNRGDKP

Completely Automatic

Even though robot vacuums have been for a while on the market, the manufacturers still manage to find new ways of advancing these devices, and the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum is a bright example. It's one of the latest models from the brand, which can be called a truly automatic appliance.

What makes this model so high-tech is the fact that it is fitted with various innovative technologies and sensors, so it requires minimal supervision from you. First of all, the device comes with a built-in Wi-Fi module that allows you to set the cleaning schedule via the Shark clean app. In addition to this, you can schedule daily cleanups so that you won’t need to turn the vac on a daily basis. When you are at home, you can also benefit from the voice control feature (it's compatible with Alexa and Google voice assistants).

Next, the device comes with an innovative self-empty base, which spares you from constant dust bin emptying. The robot will automatically throw the dust and debris into the smart base when it gets full. The base can hold up to 30 days' worth of dirt, meaning that you will only need to empty it once a month.

What is more, with this model, there will be lower chances of tangling. It is fitted with a special self-cleaning brush roll removing the hair that may get stuck on it and thus, negatively affect the efficiency of the whole unit.

As for the navigation, this robotic vacuum can boast an IQ NAV system that allows the unit to make a precise map of your house and clean it safely without bumping or falling off the elevations. You can also program the device to clean in a particular room only. If you want to feel extra-safe, you're free to use the BotBoundry strips provided in a set. They will stop the robot from entering unwanted areas.

For Small and Average-Sized Homes

Moving on to the filtration system, we would like to stress that this is the only thing that may need supervision. It is non-washable and requires manual cleaning approximately every 2 weeks (depending on the frequency of use). It should also be replaced every couple of months to let vac maintain its great air-purifying properties.

Last but not least, the autonomous run time of this model is pretty average - around 60 minutes, which is enough to clean up to 1000 sq. ft. When the battery is low on charge, the robot will return to the base and recharge.

All things considered, the Shark IQ Robot Vacuum is a completely automatic robot vacuum that will suit busy families that would like to spend minimum time and effort on cleaning. Thanks to this smart appliance, the floors in your house will always stay clean and the air will be fresh.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07S864GPW

Extremely Slim

If you own a lot of low furniture and are tired of reaching under it by yourself, this model of a robotic vacuum will end your struggle.

The RoboVac 11S is one of the slimmest robotic vacuums on the market today. It’s only 2.85" tall and can vacuum under low-hanging furniture and other hard-to-reach spots where pet hair is likely to lurk. It easily squeezes under beds, wardrobes, armchairs, or floor-standing cabinets to remove all dirt, dust, crumbs, and hair that have been stuck there. And owing to upgraded wheels, this compact vac can easily climb thresholds up to 0.63-inch high. The vac is great for cleaning low- to medium-pile carpets, hardwood bare floors, laminate, and tile. However, it's not the best option for high-pile carpets.

Although the RoboVac 11S is super-slim, it’s still packed with numerous notable functions. It features a 3-point cleaning system (rolling brush, two side brushes, and super powerful suction) to deliver a thorough cleanup. Also, it boasts 100 minutes of continuous runtime per one charge. So, you can be sure that this mighty one will be able to clean your whole home after a single charge. By the way, the vacuum automatically returns to its charging base once the power is low. The vac has a large 0.6 L dustbox that holds a decent amount of dirt, thus reducing the frequency of emptying.

Another advantage of this model is its super-quiet operation. It produces just 55dB (the equivalent volume of conversational speech), so its operation won't drive your pets crazy. Other highlights of the RoboVac 11S cleaner include a premium design with an anti-scratch tempered glass cover that ensures extra protection and drop-sensing technology that prevents the vac from falling down the stairs. Also, it has an infrared sensor that helps it avoid obstacles. Overall, if you need a highly functional cleaner for pet hair removal, it’s a suitable choice. It can reach all those hard spots where other models fail.

Smart BoostIQ™ Technology

The main highlight of this robot is its BoostIQ™ Technology of the second generation. The vacuum can automatically increase the suction power up to enormous 1300 Pa within just 1.5 seconds when extra strength is needed. This function may come in useful when cleaning especially dirty spots. However, keep note that increasing the suction power leads to the decrease of the operating time, that's why we recommend using the Power Boost mode wisely and only when cleaning some extremely stubborn dirt.

In short, the Eufy RoboVac is one of the best options you can find at this price point. Plus, it is very slim, meaning it can freely clean even under low-hanging furniture and other hard-to-reach spots.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $149.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B079QYYGF1

Upped Navigation, Boosted Cleaning

Robot vacuums are great, but their navigation is often faulty. Roborock has made it their goal to solve this problem with the E4 model that has upscale smart navigation and logical route planning.

This vacuum utilizes the OpticEye motion tracking system supported with dual gyroscopes. It creates smart Z-shape routes for maximum cleaning results and minimum missed areas. Whenever it runs close to a wall, the brush automatically accelerates, performing a much better cleanup.

The Z-shape routes are also great for saving up battery power for the real job. While other vacuums in this price range tend to run around chaotically and then discharge and stop, Roborock does it way smarter. Instead of going the same way a gazillion times, it focuses on the actual quality cleaning.

For your convenience, this vacuum cleaner offers 4 cleaning modes: Silent, Balanced, Turbo, and Max. Ideal for late evening cleanups or dealing with huge messes, Roborock can adjust to any circumstances or personal needs. It won’t fall down the stairs or get trapped in a tight place with you rescuing it every single time.

One App for Every Purpose

Roborock is controlled via the Mi Home app where you can choose the cleaning mode, set schedules, and control the vacuum with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home. Yes, the app can be somewhat glitchy on your smartphone, but it does offer a lot in terms of robot vacuum programming.

Another smart feature of Roborock is the automatic carpet boost. Whenever the vacuum encounters a carpet, the power goes up to 2000Pa for a thorough cleanup. Finally, your floor décor will be free from the annoying pet hair and dust.

As for the furniture, this device is only 3.55 inches tall, which allows it to clean under beds or couches without getting stuck. Now, instead of you running around and saving it from the tight spots, you are free to enjoy yourself and let the robot do its job.

This vacuum has a large 640 ml dust bin, which makes for one emptying per week. Unloading the dust is done automatically and will take up mere seconds. The filter is washable and, consequently, more durable. Clean it out more frequently for the top performance.

Overall, this versatile robot vacuum cleaner is a great find for smart home owners aiming at quality cleaning.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0825NN2FM

Reasonably-Priced Model

The Roomba Robot Vacuums have been around for a while now, first making a splash a few years ago when they burst onto the scene. However, people quickly discovered that these automated vacuums had some shortcomings, namely in price. Having an automated vacuum cleaner was an expensive proposition, with most models costing hundreds of dollars, putting them out of the range of many families. However, since those early days, the prices have come down to a more affordable range.

The iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum is a great example of an automated vacuum cleaner that is quite affordable. Featuring a three-stage cleaning system along with dual multi-surface brushes, this small but powerful vacuum cleaner is able to clean a house with little trouble at all. Even the toughest dirt and hair can be easily cleaned up, as this vacuum cleaner packs a lot of power in its small size.

As is the same with the other Roomba models, this vacuum can be automated with a schedule that can be set through the iRobot HOME app, letting you schedule a cleaning for certain days and at specific times. The included battery power is more than sufficient for letting it cover a home, as it can run for up to 90 minutes on a full charge.

May Works Wonder in Your Home

This automated vacuum includes plenty of features that give it the ability to do a thorough cleaning. The vacuum includes Roomba's patented Dirt Detector sensors, which let the vacuum detect the dirtiest parts of your floor or carpet, and it will spend extra time on those areas to ensure they get a thorough cleaning. The included intelligent sensors let the vacuum easily move around obstacles in your home, as well as moving underneath furniture. However, these sensors are also able to detect when furniture has too low of a clearance for it to safely pass under, so there is no need to worry about it getting stuck.

Also included in this incredible vacuum is an edge sweeping brush that ensures a good cleaning along the edges of the wall and furniture. The 27 degree angle of this brush gives it the ability to sweep away dirt and dust from the edges without leaving any behind. The vacuum also includes many of the other features expected of Roomba Robot Vacuums, including WiFi connectivity, the auto-adjust cleaning head, and the ability to work on almost any type of surface, including hardwood and tile floors. Such capabilities packed into a powerful yet affordable vacuum cleaner make it one of the best values on the market.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $181.58
Stock In stock
ASIN B07DL4QY5V

Infographics


What Is a Robotic Vacuum?

It hasn't been long since robotic vacuums came to our life. In spite of the fact that they have been presented on the market since 2002, they have become accessible to average customers only a few years ago when the price for one has lowered significantly. Thanks to the appearance of robotic vacuum cleaners, people now can save much more of their time and effort, shifting all taxing cleaning chores to a robot cleaner. All you need to do is select the type of robot that will best fit your area, make sure that it packs in all the features you'd want it to possess, and check what other extras and benefits it offers to make your life easier. Most robotic cleaners can be scheduled to run clean-ups up to 7 days a week and provide 60 minutes of operating time and more in order to clean the entire house. So if the idea of turning to high-tech devices tempts you and you've got other tasks to keep you entertained in the evenings rather than hoovering floors, you should strongly consider taking advantage of one of the robotic cleaners we've selected for you.

One other household appliance that might pique your interest is a wet-dry vacuum cleaner, a device that's able to banish even that kind of dirt you've given up hope of removing.

What Features to Compare

Intelligence

The most important feature you should pay attention to is the intelligence of a robotic vacuum or, namely the vacuum navigation technology. In a nutshell, the more logical and smarter the technology is, the more effective the cleaning pattern of the robotic vacuum will be. To accomplish this purpose, designers have provided these appliances with useful features and additional attachments. For example, the robotic vacuums have a bumper with built-in sensors, infrared mostly, these sensors prevent the appliance from falling down the stairs and help to avoid obstacles, it means that your furniture is protected from damage. Modern models also have sensors that can detect the dirtiest areas and clean them more intensively. According to the automatic cleaning patterns, cheap models of robotic vacuums have standard patterns - Along the wall and Chaotic. In case of more expensive vacuums, they may comprise up to 10 pre-programmed patterns, for example, they can move in a spiral or zigzag ways. You can also buy a truly smart unit with RPS technology which can make a map of your house, it will speed up the process of cleaning because such robotic vacuums know exactly where the obstacles are and will automatically avoid them. The last and the most useful feature is the scheduling cleanings, you may program the vacuum to clean your apartment for up to 7 times a week.

Cleaning area

Every model of robotic vacuums has its own recommended cleaning area which depends on run-time on a single charge. Charging time and battery capacity are the main features which determine the operation time, so the higher the battery capacity is, the larger area will be cleaned. Some robotic vacuums have a charging base to which the vac automatically returns when the battery is running low.

Cleaning efficiency

Robotic vacuums are divided into 2 types due to the clean-up modes: for wet and dry cleaning. You'd better choose models with wet cleaning feature for kitchen and office, they will remove all kinds of dirt on tile, stone and linoleum. Robotic vacuums with dry cleaning feature will be useful for pile carpet and carpet flooring. As to the cleaning modes, some models include up to 5 cleaning processes, though they are more expensive. Such robotic vacuums can sweep, vacuum, scrub in one step and even focus on the dirtiest areas for proper cleaning.

Health benefits

Finally, pay attention to the health benefits every robotic vac offers. Engineers provide robotic vacuums with UV light, which can disinfect the floor, kill bacteria, germs and allergens. Some models will be useful for pet owners due to a special brush that helps to pick up all pet hair. And the last important feature to notice is the HEPA-filter which can easily trap even the smallest crumbs.

Did you know?

When was the first robot vacuum invented?

The first prototype of the robot vacuum cleaner was introduced in 1992 by LG at one of the exhibitions in South Korea. However, LG engineers haven’t managed to create a finished commercially-available product for unknown reasons. Later, in 1996, the Swedish manufacturer of household appliances, Electrolux, demonstrated its analog. But the first mass-produced autonomous model, Electrolux Trilobite, was released only five years later, in 2001. The novelty immediately attracted a lot of attention of not only customers but also the advanced technology company, iRobot, which was known for its cooperation with NASA. And already in 2002, the iRobot Corporations launched the Roomba robot. Although it wasn’t the first robot vacuum, it was the most successful. Soon after, the iRobot company has become the leading manufacturer of home robot vacuums. Nowadays, they have a wide range of vacuum cleaning robots from the 400 to the 900 series.

Extendable capabilities

Probably, Roomba vacuums are so successful because they can be constantly upgraded, just like smartphones or tablets. From the earliest models on, users could extend their functionality by hacking their microcontrollers. The electronics and software allowed programmers to modify the behavior of the appliances. For example, the earliest series were incompatible with standard PC ports and cables, but different third-party adapters enabled users to access the Roomba's built-in computer via Bluetooth or USB. Of course, nowadays, the company releases the advanced models that can easily communicate with smartphones and other gadgets via Wi-Fi. They can be remotely controlled through a wireless network.

The principle of operation

Actually, what is the principle of the robovacs’ operation? Each vacuum cleaning robot has sensors which detect obstacles and let robots. Moreover, some models even feature built-in cameras allowing to map the room and clean it in a methodical and more efficient path. These smart appliances quickly remember the map of your room and can clean even faster after a while. Thanks to the sensors, robot cleaners can easily clean under beds, couches, cabinets and other low-profile pieces of furniture. The vacs detect pollution and don’t clean a room randomly - they clean dirty spots only. One of the greatest features of this cleaning device is its ability to clean on a preset schedule, even if you are not at home. The cleaning efficiency of each robot vacuum is different (from 50% to 95%). Some models are designed to supplement standard vacuum cleaners, while others are able to replace them.

How to:

Sources:

1. Jovia D'Souza Robotic Vacuum Cleaners - What You Need To Remember When Buying, EzineArticles. October 22, 2015.

2. Chris Barnes Robot vacuum cleaner buying guide, Choice. June 1, 2016.

3. Lisa Evans Before you buy: Choosing a robotic vacuum, Ottawa Citizen. January 22, 2015.

4. How to Clean Your Carpets, wikiHow.

5. How to buy the best robot vacuum cleaner, Which?

6. The Robo-Help, The Wall Street Journal.

7. 10 Advantages of Using a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, DoItYourself.com.

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