Adding a robot vacuum to your home is a great way to automate your cleaning. These nifty devices will clean your floors with little to no manual input — freeing up your time for more exciting endeavors. Some are even capable of emptying their own dustbin or can pull double duty as a mop. Not all robot vacuums are created equal, however, and finding the best robot vacuums takes a bit of digging.
The first thing you’ll need to do when searching for a robot vacuum is set a budget. Robot vacuums run the gamut from a few hundred bucks to well over $1,000. Many of the best robot vacuums cost at least $500, and going any lower could result in poor performance or the need to constantly interact with your device (such as to empty its dustbin, untangle it from furniture, or help it back to its dock).
Many of the best products on the market are designed by Roborock, Ecovacs, and iRobot. These three companies have built a massive roster of robot vacuums, and most products from these brands are reliable and offer impressive cleaning skills. If you need help narrowing down your options, here’s a look at the best robot vacuums of 2023, including both budget picks and premium gadgets.
Note that several of the devices on this list also double as mops, making them great options for homes with both carpet and hard floors.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
The best overall
Pros
- Impressive vacuuming skills
- Mops and vacuums in a single run
- Automatically cleans and empties itself
- Easy-to-use smartphone app
Cons
- Mop only lifts up a few millimeters
It’s not cheap, but the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is worth every penny. Its ability to both mop and vacuum without manual input is just the tip of the iceberg, as you’ll also be treated to a charging station that automatically empties its dustbin so you don’t have to worry about it for more than a month. It can also clean (and dry) the mopheads so there’s no mold buildup. Best of all, the vacuum maxes out at a staggering 6,000 Pa of suction, allowing it to provide an impressive clean that’s leagues ahead of the competition.
Like all Roborock products, this one comes with a sleek design and powerful smartphone app. Using the app, you can schedule cleanings, check when maintenance needs to be performed, or run a customized cleaning if you accidently spill something or just need another vacuuming before guests show up. It’s an incredibly versatile device – and if you truly want to automate your cleaning, this is the robot vacuum to get. Looking to save a bit of cash? Consider the outgoing Roborock S7 lineup instead.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
The best overall
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni
Best for mopping
Pros
- Impressive suction and vacuuming
- Retractable mopping pads
- Self-emptying and cleaning
- Sleek, square design
Cons
- Minimal improvements over existing T20 Omni
While the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni isn’t a massive leap forward from the T20 Omni, there’s no doubt it’s a better robot vacuum. Offering more suction (8,000 Pa), a self-emptying dustbin that can last for 90 days, and a gorgeous new design, Ecovacs made tons of incremental improvements for the X2 Omni.
Beyond those minor improvements, much remains the same. This includes a docking station that uses hot water and air to clean and dry its mops, a robust smartphone app, and a great smartphone app to power all the action.
All those features come at a price, with the X2 Omni clocking in at a hefty $1,500. It’s often on sale, however, and there’s no denying it’s among the best robot vacuums available today. Consider cross-shopping it with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, as it boasts a similar price tag and features.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni
Best for mopping
iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550)
Best for vacuuming
Pros
- Superb cleaning performance
- Self-emptying dust bin
- Multi-floor smart mapping
- Precise object detection and navigation
Sure, a robot vacuum makes cleaning your floors a heck of a lot easier. But, you still have to empty the dustbin just about every time you run it. With its Clean Base and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, the S9+ is capable of literally vacuuming without having you lift a finger. Just say “Alexa” or “OK, Google, ask Roomba to start cleaning,” and your S9+ will start cleaning. The best part about the S9+ is that it sucks dirt and debris into an anti-allergen base that holds up to 30 deposits (60 days of dirt).
In addition to being one of the most user-friendly robots you can buy, the S9+ adopts a new D-shaped design to allow for better edge and corner cleaning. Naturally, it’s outfitted with the latest tech under the hood — consisting of a new 3D sensor in the front bumper that enhances Roomba’s wall detection, a more powerful cleaning head, and intelligent mapping. It can tell where it has already been and where it still needs to clean. The robot can clean your entire home, or you can instruct it to clean specific places. Its sensors can locate the higher traffic areas in your home, and the robot will be extra attentive to those dirtier areas of your floors. The S9+ is perfect for those that can’t fit a regular upright vac cleaning into their packed schedule, thanks in part to the many automations and customizations the bot is capable of.
While the iRobot Roomba S9+ is expensive, its performance and features are top-notch. If you want the best of the best in terms of robot vacuums, the S9+ is the way to go.
iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550)
Best for vacuuming
Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Best for home security
Pros
- Home security patrol feature works well
- More efficient cleaning performance
- Good at avoiding obstacles
- Minimal disposal with self-emptying system
Having a mobile security camera that you can access on the go is never a bad idea. Fortunately, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ boasts a powerful security camera that you view through the SmartThings app. Once in a room, the vac will scan the environment and send you a notification if it detects a motion. While it won’t cue up automatically, you can still build a schedule for the vac to follow.
In terms of cleaning features, there’s plenty on board to get your house spotless. Lidar sensors create detailed maps of your home while navigating the vac to all the hard-to-see cracks and crevices, employing a main roller brush and side-sweepers to grab whatever dirt and pet hair is around. Object avoidance is on-point, too, combining lidar and the camera to keep away from valuables and furniture while still getting the job done.
Voice controls, a 90-minute runtime, and automatic dirt disposal are all sweet additions to this Samsung package. While the price is a bit on the high side, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is a phenomenal patrol vac and a solid cleaner, too. Read our full review of the Samsung Jet Bot AI+, and learn about how the vacuum uses A.I.
Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Best for home security
iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
Best budget pick
Pros
- Mops and vacuums
- Charging station holds 60 days of debris
- Under $1,000
Cons
- Not as automated as more expensive products
The Comobo j5+ isn’t quite as automated as other robot vacuums on this list, but is still versatile enough to vacuum and mop your home. The main thing to consider is that you’ll need to manually swap out its bin to change its functions — one bin turns it into a robot vacuum, while the other adds mopping skills.
Aside from that quirk, this is a powerful robot vacuum that’s great for anyone seeking a product under $1,000. Rounding out the Combo j5+ is a dock that holds 60 days of debris before needing to be emptied, impressive AI navigation skills, and support for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
Best budget pick
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of owning a robot vacuum?
A robot vacuum turns the normal push-and-pull labor of vacuuming your whole home into an automated cleaning experience. Additional customizations for scheduling and bot settings are adjustable in the bot’s companion app. You can also use a number of voice assistants to give commands to the bot.
What does a robot vacuum look like?
Typically, robot vacuums are puck-shaped and often measure no wider than 10 to 12 inches. Casing colors are usually hues that will blend in well with common home decor, with white and black featuring prominently across multiple brands.
What tools do you need to clean your robot vacuum?
Many of today’s leading robot vacuums come with dirt-disposal stations that your bot will automatically connect to for emptying its internal debris tank. These stations often feature disposable dirt bags that can carry dirt for as long as 60 days before replacement is necessary.
Still not sure which model to get? Check out our robot vacuum guide that can help you decide.
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