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7 Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Linsey Knerl
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August 29, 2023
Not all robot vacuum cleaners are created equal. Whether you want one with more power, the ability to mop floors, or the latest in voice-assistant compatibility, today’s best robot vacuums offer a little of everything. Here’s what you should know when shopping for a new robot vacuum cleaner and which picks top our list of must-buy models.
The best robot vacuums
These top 5 products go the extra mile in features, affordability, and power.
- eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum
- Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum
- iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
- WYZE Robot Vacuum with LIDAR Mapping
- iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
Best robot vacuum reviews
With voice activation features and multi-surface cleaning capabilities, these robot vacuums made the cut for best picks among a vast field of competitors. Choose any of these models for above-average cleaning in just about any home or office.
1. eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum
Weighing 5.73 lbs and measuring just 2.85 inches tall, the ultra-slim eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum can clean tight spaces and look good doing it. It was voted one of the “Best Robot Vacuums of 2019” and has a robust 1300Pa suction strength. That means it’s more than powerful enough for stubborn particles like cat litter, cereal, and animal hair.
The 4 side brushes help to collect debris from even hard-to-reach edges. Plus, it has drop-sensing tech to keep it from falling down stairs or into recessed floors.
This vacuum’s noise is comparable to a typical microwave, and it runs for up to 100 minutes on a single charge. Note: the 100-minute charge claim is only for hardwood floors; running it on carpeting takes more power and will result in shorter run times.
Two other great perks include auto-recharging and the feature-packed remote, both of which make this a clever tool for even the least tech-savvy users. You can set it up to run on one of the preset cleaning modes or schedule it to run at the time of your choosing. When it’s done making the rounds, it will return to its base for a hands-free recharge.
The design of this robotic vacuum is slick, but the glass casing shows dirt and fingerprints easily. It also won’t work on high-pile carpeting or floors with a dark colour.
If you have pets and want a quiet cleaning experience, the eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum is a strong pick that also costs less than comparable models.
2. Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum
For those who need a robot vacuum and mop, check out the Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum. When vacuuming, it automatically senses carpet and boosts its suction to get deep into fibres and provide a more satisfactory clean. Its floating brush stays close to the ground, on all kinds of surfaces.
Mopping occurs through a sonic vibration method where the large water tank disperses cleaning liquid and the unit scrubs at 3,000 cycles per minute. The 2500Pa suction vacuum then pulls debris up away from the floor, to keep from dragging water or dirt across dry, clean surfaces.
This vacuum excels at creating its own cleaning “rules” thanks to virtual barriers, no-go zones, and no-mop areas where you don’t want moisture. It even calculates the fastest route around a room and remembers it for the next cycle. There is an optional autodocking dustbin that will clean the vacuum each time, but this is an extra purchase on top of the already hefty vacuum price. When you add on the replaceable filters, this is definitely a higher-cost option.
This 17-time award winner works with Amazon Alexa and has an incredible battery life of up to 180 minutes, which is much longer than competing vacuums. It will also stop once it senses the battery is low, put itself back on the charging dock, and then resume the job when charged. If you’ve avoided robot vacuums out of fear they won’t finish the job, the Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum can put your mind at ease.
3. iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
No list of robot vacuums would be complete without one of the original brands. The iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum lives up to its legacy and boasts an updated app for creating new cleaning routines and adjusting schedules on the fly. It’s compatible with most voice assistants, too, so you can start a cleaning session by simply talking to your robot vac.
This base model has all the essentials you want in a robot vacuum: cliff detection and fall prevention, a single-edge brush, 3-stage cleaning process, and an adjustable cleaning head that easily moves from flat floors to carpets. The app comes with some handy extras, like notifications for allergy season, so you can schedule an extra cleaning or two. It also claims to sense the dirtier areas of your home and work longer on those spots, but your mileage will vary with this feature.
If there’s a drawback to this vacuum, it’s the 90-minute battery life, which falls short of competing vacuums. It also has limited controls, like keep-out zones, and it doesn’t boast the air filtration system or anti-allergen features of pet-specific cleaning products.
It’s a still solid device with brand-name backing, and the price isn’t too high for what you get. If you’re satisfied with more simplified tools and don’t need a mop, the iRobot Roomba 675 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum does the job with little fuss and easy controls.
4. WYZE Robot Vacuum with LIDAR Mapping
With 7 sensors and a 110-minute battery charge, the WYZE Robot Vacuum with LIDAR Mapping is a strong pick. You may not be as familiar with the brand name, but this WYZE model features some of the same benefits of the more established companies – with great results. The Lidar sensor scans rooms to create the best path then moves in straight-line patterns to finish the job.
The app is pretty handy, too, offering last-minute cleaning requests in addition to well-scheduled applications. You can also completely customize the no-go zones to keep your robotic vacuum away from quiet spaces or fragile items.
It features the same 2100Pa suction as most brands in its class, but it has 3 settings for sound to provide you with more control. As long as your uneven floors don’t have more than a 20 mm difference, it can cover the gap well and provide consistent crumb or pet hair removal between hard floors and carpets.
This self-charging vacuum robot is still new to the market, which means replacement parts and support are slightly more challenging to come by at the moment. Plus, customers report more bumps and bruises on furniture than expected for a “smart” scanning device. If you’re willing to be a sort of beta tester for this brand, you can get a wide array of features in the WYZE Robot Vacuum with LIDAR Mapping at an incredible price.
5. iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
For the updated version of the aforementioned 675, try the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum. This is essentially the same vacuum but with a newer, refreshed look. It provides WiFi connectivity, and a smart app, and works with voice commands (when paired).
The iRobot brand shines through here, with a 3-stage brush routine that picks up kitty litter and pet hair in even hard-to-reach places. This model only charges for up to 90-minute runs, so prepare to let this machine rest between large rooms. This robot vacuum’s guidance system also isn’t as savvy as others. With bump-and-shift floor mapping, it will knock into your furniture a few times before finding its bearings.
This device has all the features of a basic robot vacuum with a look for the modern age. If you’re looking for value and durability in your vacuum, the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum delivers.
6. eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C Robot Vacuum
For an affordable option, consider the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C Robot Vacuum. It has all the must-have features, including a slim body size and 1500Pa suction strength (the minimum for good results). It also has 4 side brushes, which is more than some other models. It boasts BoostIQ Technology, too, which quickly increases suction power when necessary.
It’s relatively quiet and offers up to 100 minutes of battery life. However, that 100-minute estimate is only on hardwood floors, so expect less when using it on carpet.
This eufy RoboVac comes with boundary strips, which is a physical, less-techie way to tell the vacuum which areas to avoid. However, this may be beneficial to those who don’t have the time or patience to program every room. The voice control feature (via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant) and the super-low price make up for this inconvenience, making the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C Robot Vacuum a great entry-level robot vacuum.
7. iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal
At the top of the iRobot food chain is the iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal. This option is a bit pricier because it includes an accessory base, which charges the machine and acts as a dirt depository. This self-emptying robot vacuum will dump its debris into the base for up to 60 days, giving you a hands-off approach to cleaning.
This vacuum outranks other iRobots (and other vacuums, for that matter) when it comes to suction, too. Its powerful suction is 10 times better than the competition, and it cleans your rooms in neat rows instead of bumping and turning like other models.
There are some additional filtration benefits, too, which helps keep pet dander and allergens to a minimum while cleaning. This vacuum also pairs with the Brava 6 jet mop robot to clean in succession, which is a nice additional feature for a vacuum without mopping capabilities.
The tracking app and room memory features put this device over the top. It uses sLAM navigation and thousands of data points so it will stay on task and won’t get stuck. While it’s almost 3 times the price of other vacuum-only models, it does include the self-cleaning base, award-winning iRobot support, and incredible suction power. If you need the absolute best of the best, the iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal is an excellent choice.
Why buy a robot vacuum?
Robot vacuums aren’t new, but they’ve evolved a lot over the years. Today, they can handle just about any surface type and even include features like scrubbing. You’re a good candidate for one if you fit into these categories.
PET OWNERS
Pet hair and dander are a pain to deal with, and robot vacuums relieve some of that pain by cleaning up for you. Plus, the more premium designs feature HEPA filters and schedule for when allergy season is at its peak.
CARPET AND HARDWOOD FLOORS
Modern robot vacuums handle nearly every surface type, with the exception of very high-pile carpet. You can expect most vacuum cleaners to adjust to floor height and type just fine.
BUSY HOMEOWNERS
No time to vacuum? No problem. Between the mobile apps, scheduling tools, and charging stations that handle the “refuelling,” you can enjoy a clean house while barely lifting a finger.
What to look for in a good robot vacuum
If you want the best features in your robot vacuums, make sure to pick a model that offers these essentials.
EDGE BRUSHES AND RUBBERIZED BRUSHES
Even the most powerful vacuum will deliver lacklustre results if it can’t get right up to the edge of your walls and furniture. Your vacuum should have at least one edge brush to sweep along surfaces and pick up every last speck of dirt. Bonus points for extra brushes.
If you have pets, consider buying a device with rubberized brushes. These can pick up even the finest pet hair and put it into the dustbin in one pass. The best brushes will sit flat against the floor, usually with floating arms, so there are no gaps on uneven surfaces.
LONG BATTERY LIFE
Batteries won’t last nearly as long on high-pile carpets, because they have to work harder. For multi-surface homes, consider a device with at least 90 minutes of battery life at peak efficiency. Anything less will require multiple charges for larger rooms.
If you can’t get the longest battery life in your budget, look for devices that charge on their own without prompting. That way, if you’re not home and the robot runs out of juice, it can park itself, recharge, and get back to work. The more hands-off, the better.
What is the best robot vacuum cleaner for you?
When it comes to the right price for the benefits, the eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum is a clear winner. This robot vacuum has a healthy battery life and a very low profile, so it can work under furniture without getting stuck.
The eufy BoostIQ Robovac 11S Robot Vacuum may not have the brand recognition of some more established models, but it earns its ranking in several industry lists. Plus, it’s extremely quiet, making it a favourite for work-at-home professionals who don’t want to choose between cleaning up cat and dog hair or joining an important work conference call.
This eufy has a sleek appearance, too, which adds to the allure. Factor in the ultra-modest price tag and it clearly outranks the others on the list for overall value and quality.
