We Tested 44 of the Best Robot Vacuums, and These 8 Models Are Actually Worth Buying (2024)

Robot vacuums take the hard work out of cleaning your floors, so you have more time to check off other tasks from your to-do list. Whether you're a pet owner, an allergy sufferer, or simply someone who wants to spend less time vacuuming, investing in a robot vacuum will seriously upgrade your routine. Since it runs more often than an upright vacuum, it significantly reduces the amount of dust in your home between regular cleanings.

Given the increased demand for robot vacuums, the market has become increasingly cluttered, making it hard to decipher which are the best. That's why we tested 44 robot vacuums, both in our Des Moines lab and at home, evaluating them on ease of setup, effectiveness, noise level, maneuverability, overall value, and more. For expert insight, we spoke with Brent Hild, director of product management at iRobot, and Minming Gu, co-founder of GenHigh Tech (which carries Neabot).

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the iRobot Roomba 694 because it's very effective at lifting dirt from a variety of surfaces, thanks to its two counter-rotating brush rolls. Plus, it's easy to use, WiFi-compatible, and reasonably priced. If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly robot vac, the Black + Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum is jam-packed with cleaning features.

Our Testing Process

We acquired 44 of the best robot vacuum cleaners and tested them in our lab and at home. In our lab tests, we started by evaluating the setup of each robot vacuum, following the instructions for basic assembly, and connecting to WiFi to test the app function on smart models.

We also evaluated the robot vacuum's effectiveness at both vacuuming and mopping (when applicable). In our vacuum testing, we spilled a pinch of wig hair, a tablespoon of Cheerios, and a tablespoon of sand onto a hard floor and rug, and assessed how well each vacuum cleaned the mess in two minutes. To test each vacuum’s mopping capabilities, we spilled a tablespoon of coffee and a drizzle of sticky syrup on the hard floor and again evaluated how well it cleaned the mess in two minutes. We also used a decibel meter to measure the noise level of each robot vacuum while running it in a small room with the door closed.

Throughout the testing process, we tried out all available features on each vacuum—including smart mapping, voice command, object avoidance, and more—and evaluated how intuitive they were to use and whether they work as advertised.

One of the most important factors when choosing a robot vacuum is maneuverability, or the ability to get around obstacles and across different surfaces without interference. To test this, we set up an area with a medium-pile rug, couch, coffee table, and dining table. We then ran the robot vacuum and took note of how well it slid under furniture, navigated around chair and table legs, and transferred from a carpeted surface to a non-carpeted one. For robot vacuums with object-avoidance technology, we placed chocolate pudding (to simulate pet waste) in the path of the vacuum to see whether it avoids it or not. We also repeated this test with a USB cable and a baby sock.

After completing our testing, we evaluated the ease of emptying each robot vacuum by preparing it for use the next use, which may include switching out the bag, dumping out the debris in the dustbin, swapping out mop pads, or, for self-emptying vacuums, directing the product to empty itself.

Finally, we received the price of each robot vacuum and were asked to score its overall value, taking into account its performance in the above tests. Once our lab tests were complete, we took the vacuums home and gave our honest feedback, including whether the device has become a part of our new cleaning routine.

How to Shop for Robot Vacuums Like a Pro

Size and Shape

The size and shape of a robot vacuum can have a substantial impact on its performance. A bulkier model will have a hard time sliding under furniture or around tight corners, after all. Be sure to pay attention to the height of the vacuum, especially if your furniture sits low to the ground. You should also take into account the size of the charging dock, as this will become a permanent fixture in your home. The major trade-off of self-emptying robot vacuums is that they come with a bulkier base to accommodate their large dustbins.

Additionally, most robot vacuums come in one of two shapes—round or D-shaped. Today’s robot vacuums are mostly round, as these tend to get stuck less often, moving in and out of tight spaces with ease. D-shaped robot vacuums have the advantage when it comes to getting as close to the walls as possible because they have a flat side—but they can be clunkier to navigate. All of the models on our list are round, except for the Neato D9, which was able to get right up to the edge of the wall during our testing.

Battery Life

A robot vacuum’s battery life directly correlates to how much area it can cover in a single cleaning. Most have a battery life of about 90 minutes, which equates to roughly 1,000 square feet of coverage. If the battery gets too low while cleaning, the robot vacuum will return to the docking station on its own, so you won’t need to worry about recharging it yourself. However, a longer battery life never hurts, especially when you have a large space that you want to be cleaned in a single session.

Floor Compatibility

Most robot vacuums nowadays (including all the models on our list) are designed to clean all floor types. What really distinguishes one robot vacuum from the next is its ability to transfer from carpeted to non-carpeted surfaces without getting stuck: “Robot vacuums have advanced over the years to perfect the transitions between hardwood, tile, carpet, and linoleum,” Hild says.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may also want to consider a robot vacuum-mop hybrid (see our Special Features section below for more on this).

WiFi and Smart-Home Connectivity

Many robot vacuums on the market today are WiFi-connected and compatible with smart-home devices or voice assistants, most commonly Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Some robot vacuums require that you connect to WiFi and download an app to use them. But as it goes with technology, users often run into glitches when connecting their device to the internet—which is why we made sure to test the WiFi setup process.

The various apps hold many of the advanced features that are signature to robot vacuums, including smart mapping, scheduled cleanings, and more. “Robots that use AI and machine learning provide a more thoughtful, personalized cleaning experience by learning and knowing exactly where, when, and how a user wants their house cleaned,” Hild says. “They quite literally understand the rules of the home.”

Noise

One of the major advantages of robot vacuums is that they can run in the background while you work from home or tackle other chores. If you’re one to schedule cleanings while you're out of the house, then noise level won’t matter, but if you are home while your vacuum is cleaning, you’ll want to pay attention to the noise level—especially considering they run for much longer than traditional vacuums.

Robot vacuums can range anywhere from 50 to 80 decibels. (For reference, 80 decibels is equivalent to the volume of city traffic while inside a car.) Our quietest pick, the Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid, measured as low as 60 decibels during our testing, which is about the volume of a normal conversation between two people.

Price

There’s no getting around it: Robot vacuums are expensive. The median price of all the models we tested was $550. But considering the advanced functionality of many of them (and the fact that traditional upright and cordless vacuums can cost about the same), the price may be worth it if you’re looking to spend less time vacuuming. The good news is that our best overall pick, the iRobot Roomba 694, is about half the median price of all those we tested, proving you don’t necessarily need to spend more to get a good robot vacuum.

Special Features to Look For

These are extra features that, while certainly not necessary, can enhance your cleaning experience:

Smart Mapping: Many robot vacuums can pair with an app that allows you to control which rooms or sections of a room to clean—and which to avoid. “Those with larger spaces or open layout floor plans should consider a robot vacuum with smart mapping capabilities to ensure the robot can cover the entire level of their home,” Hild says. “Smart mapping robots can seamlessly and efficiently navigate from room to room, keeping track of its location.”

Hybrid Models: Some robot vacuums double as mops, with a clip-on water reservoir and a microfiber pad that will wipe the floors as you go. This can be helpful for hardwood floor maintenance, but it’s not likely going to replace regular mopping, particularly for extra-tough messes.

Self-Emptying: Most people won’t mind emptying their robot vacuum’s dustbin after every use or so. However, if you buy a self-emptying robot vacuum, you can go anywhere from 30 to 60 days before you have to empty the base.

And perhaps more importantly, self-emptying vacuums keep the dirt and other contaminants sealed, making them well-suited for people with allergies. “Self-emptying robot vacuums trap and lock dirt, debris, and pet hair into an enclosed bag, preventing the contents from reentering the home’s environment when emptying the debris into the trash,” Hild says.

Just keep in mind that self-emptying vacuums will come with a larger charging dock that is used to store the debris that gets sucked out of the dustbin after each use.

Object Avoidance: Generally, you’ll need to tidy up a bit before running a robot vacuum so it doesn’t run into any obstacles or get stuck on small items. But if you miss a sock or two, many robot vacuums feature object-avoidance technology, which helps steer the vacuum clear of clutter on the floor.

“New generation robot vacuums are starting to employ AI and machine learning in order to avoid common floor hazards, like cords, shoes, and socks,” Hild says. “Some can even detect and avoid pet waste…imperative for those with busy, cluttered households or those with pets.”

More Robot Vacuums to Consider

Ecovacs Deebot T10 OMNI: Overall, this robot vacuum cleans messes up really well on a range of surfaces including hardwood floors and carpets. It also has an effective mop feature that leaves your house sparkling clean. However, we found that it does have some trouble handling large pieces of debris or food.

Yeedi Vac Station: This is another vacuum-and-mop hybrid that did a good job cleaning up the coffee and syrup and avoiding the carpet while the mop function was running. We particularly appreciated the self-emptying feature—removing the dust bag without releasing dust into the air was a cinch. It left behind some sticky residue after mopping, though.

iRobot Roomba i3 EVO: This robot is very similar to our Best Overall pick but features smart mapping and a more orderly grid-line movement. It is priced slightly higher than the 694, but this may be well worth it for those who prefer more predictable coverage.

Questions You Might Ask

Are robot vacuums worth it?

When robot vacuums first hit the market, there was a lot of skepticism that these devices could be an actual floorcare system. They’ve since become a staple in many households, and some people rely solely on robot vacuums to keep their floors—including hardwood and carpet—clean. Robot vacuums are especially great for frequent travelers, pet owners, or anyone who wants to cut out one more chore.

A few things to keep in mind: While robot vacuums are effective on most surfaces, including low- to medium-pile carpets and hard floors, they’re not as strong as traditional vacuums and can struggle with high-pile rugs or carpeting that has deeply embedded debris. They also don’t climb stairs or come with attachments for cleaning upholstery, and they tend to get trapped or tangled from time to time.

However, there are some advantages to robot vacuums, too (beyond the obvious convenience factor). Hild points out that they can reach places a traditional vacuum cannot, like under beds and couches, and between tight spaces, like table and chair legs.

In short, most people would benefit from a robot vacuum, but don’t toss your upright vacuum just yet—especially if you have high-pile carpeting or lots of stairs.

How do you keep your robot vacuum from getting stuck?

There’s no point in having a robot vacuum if you can’t rely on it to move around without getting stuck. In fact, Gu says the most important feature is how well it navigates your house. "Having an app to manage it makes life so much easier," she adds.

Despite advanced navigational features like object avoidance or smart mapping, there is always a risk that your device will end up lodged under a piece of furniture, stuck in a tight corner, or caught on a cord. Unfortunately, this just comes with the territory, but you can help mediate this by choosing a robot vacuum with a low-profile design that will slide under most furniture. Even better? Whenever possible, pick up loose objects and tuck away loose cords before running your vacuum.

How do you clean and maintain your robot vacuum?

While robot vacuums generally require less maintenance than traditional vacuums, you should still do some regular cleaning to keep them performing at their absolute best. This includes regularly emptying the dustbin (and wiping it down as needed), gently brushing the filter, cleaning the roller and side brushes, and removing debris from the wheels. Always refer to the manufacturer for specific cleaning and care instructions.

What is the lifespan of a robot vacuum?

Most robot vacs commonly last between four and six years—but this could be more or less depending on other factors. How often you use it, the type of debris that you’re cleaning, vacuum quality, and how well it’s maintained are all things that affect a vacuum’s lifespan.

Take Our Word for It

This article was originally written by Melanie Fincher and updated by Nor’Adila Hepburn and Jamie Fischer. To compile this list, we tested 44 robot vacuums in our lab, evaluating them on setup, effectiveness, noise level, features, maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall value. We then took them home to see how well they perform long-term. Melanie served as one of the long-term testers for this piece and now uses the Neato D9 almost daily to tackle the never-ending influx of cat hair in her carpet. For expert tips, we spoke with Minming Gu, co-founder of GenHigh Tech (which carries Neabot), and Brent Hild, director of product management at iRobot.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.