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Nothing beats hands-free cleaning—and it truly doesn’t get any better than a robot vacuum. With the push of a button, the best robot vacuums can tackle the largest room in your house without wasting any time. They’re equipped with special features like a quick connection to handheld devices or the ability to remember the overall layout of each room in your home. Stop spending hours panic-vacuuming before guests come over or doing chores on your weekends. Enjoy more free time while these devices take care of the dirty work. All you need to operate a robot vacuum is an open outlet for its charging port and you’re ready to roll. Below are our favorite options and the things you will want to consider in your search for the best robot vacuum cleaner.

How we selected the best robot vacuums

We compared a range of over 50 robot vacuum models for price, brand, added features, mapping technology, reviews, and battery life. No two people’s cleaning needs are the same, which is why we provided a variety of options—from mop-only options from Samsung that can cut through stubborn grime to self-emptying picks for those that don’t want to lift a pinky. Many of the brands we selected have made a name for themselves in tech and vacuums, so we could be sure you’re choosing a robo-vac that will be both reliable and worth the investment.

Best robot vacuums: Reviews & Recommendations

Best smart: eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C MAX

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: With a large-capacity dust bin and powerful motor, the eufy is a great pick for just about any home.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Hard floor, carpet
  • Bin size: .6 L
  • Run time: Maximum 100 minutes

Pros:

  • Strong suction power
  • Voice-control equipped
  • Boundary strips for personalized control

Cons:

  • Does not map floor plan

The brand eufy is a branch of Anker Innovations founded by Steven Yang in 2011, following his work with Google. The goal of eufy is to create products that make the “smart home simplified” with a focus on accessibility and convenience. The company’s devices are designed to easily connect with one another, creating cohesion and coherence in the home, from wireless security systems to robot vacuums and light bulbs. And the RoboVac from eufy is as “smart” as it gets when it comes to robot vacuums. It connects to Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as the specifically designed eufyHome app where you can set cleaning schedules, direct the clean with remote control, receive notifications, and locate your robot. You can easily program boundary strips that the RoboVac will identify using 10 built-in sensors as it uses the bounce method to clean.

Best vacuum and mop combo: Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop

Billy Cadden

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Why it made the cut: This pick auto-detects the difference between carpet and hard floors to give you a complete and hassle-free clean.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Hard floor, carpet, tile
  • Bin size: 300 mL water tank
  • Run time: Three hours

Pros:

  • AI detects obstacles
  • Long battery life
  • Self-cleaning

Cons:

  • Expensive

Our favorite robot vacuum-and-mop hybrid is the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop. This state-of-the-art device is designed with LiDAR navigation reactive artificial intelligence, and structured light 3D scanning to help it map put your home and cover steer clear of obstacles like shoes and toys. The Robovac also provides a powerful suction of 5100 Pa. The mopping function, meanwhile, incorporates sonic vibration technology, which allows it to scrub up to 3,000 times a minute. That a lot of time, since it stays charged for up to three hours. Just tell the Robovac what you want with Alexa or Google Assistant. Oh, and it’s self-cleaning as well.

Best self-emptying: iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: The power of a robot vacuum, with a self-emptying feature to eliminate every step of this household task.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Carpet
  • Bin size: Reported 60 days of dirt
  • Run time: Maximum 120 minutes

Pros:

  • Self-emptying design
  • Three stage cleaning for more thorough vacuum
  • Smart mapping

Cons:

  • Some software issues in-app

The Roomba S9+ is iRobot’s most powerful vacuum to date and, boy, does it pack a punch. The iRobot company was founded in 1990 by three MIT roboticists—Colin Angle, Helen Geiner, and Rodney Brooks—with the vision of making practical robots a reality. Their first robot vacuum was released in 2002 and they have been consistently adding to and improving this design ever since. This vacuum self-evacuates after each clean at its docking station, which is equipped with a dirt disposal container that can hold up to 60 days of dust and debris. That means you can vacuum every day for almost two months without being bothered by multiple trips to the trash can.

Best with mapping technology: Neato Robotics Botvac D8 Connected

Neato

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Why it made the cut: Easily designate which areas you want to be cleaned with the virtual No-Go lines and high-tech features on this Neato Robotics pick.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Hard floor
  • Bin size: .7 L
  • Run time: 100 minutes

Pros:

  • Gets into hard-to-reach areas
  • HEPA filter
  • Automatic learning

Cons:

  • Louder than other options

The Botvac D8 from Neato Robotics is a great go-to vacuum that can map and store the memory of up to three floors in your home for a methodical, planned clean, as well as zone-clean specific messes or spills when you tell it to. You can easily draw no-go lines on your phone’s touchscreen using the Neato app that the vacuum will automatically learn and follow. It comes equipped with a HEPA filter to capture dust mites and allergens, battery life of up to 100 minutes, a large 0.7-liter dustbin, and a flat edge design for quick and easy corner clean. Additionally, the brush on the D8 is 70-percent larger than other leading brands, so this vacuum is specifically great for picking up pet hair.

Best for marathon cleaning sessions: Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T5

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: This mop-meets-vacuum has a long battery life and high-tech features to make your clean as seamless as possible.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Hard floor, carpet
  • Bin size: 430 mL
  • Run time: Over three hours

Pros:

  • Long battery life
  • Mopping included
  • Laser-mapping technology for a complete clean

Cons:

  • Mop could use more water

Ecovacs was established as a company in 1998 with the official Ecovacs Robotics brand created in 2006. They specialize in spatially aware, mobile robots that clean your home, and the Deebot Ozmo is no exception. The Deebot Ozmo T5 from Ecovacs can run for over three hours, cleaning up to 3,200 square feet in a single session. Along with the impressive battery life, this vacuum is equipped with Smart Navi 3.0 laser-mapping technology to keep track of your home and prevent any missed areas, a high-efficiency filter, and three levels of suction power. It connects to your smartphone for a customized clean, and, did we mention? It’s also a mop. Yep, this vacuum can also simultaneously mop your floors, recognizing and avoiding carpeted areas as it cleans.

Best mop-only robot: SAMSUNG Electronics Jetbot Robotic

Why it made the cut: When it comes to automated mopping, this Samsung pick is designed with squeaky-clean floors in mind.

Specs:

  • Surfaces: Tile, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood
  • Run time: 100 minutes

Pros:

  • Multiple cleaning pads
  • Eight cleaning modes
  • Dual pads remove grime

Cons:

  • No mapping

Whether you’re cleaning your bathroom floors, hardwood in the living room, or laminate in the kitchen, the dual spinning pads on the Samsung Jetbot (you can choose machine-washable Microfiber or Mother Yarn) scrub away grime and dirt without the effort of mopping. The eight cleaning modes (selectable via remote) include hand mode, focus mode, and random mode, among others, allowing you to personalize your clean depending on the room and mess level. A 100-minute battery allows for enough time for the double water tanks to offer edge-to-edge coverage.

What to consider when shopping for the best robot vacuums

There are five major things you should take into consideration when purchasing a robot vacuum. The best robot vacuums have a long-lasting battery and a large bin capacity so they can work away in your home without needing to be dumped out or recharged before the job is over. You might want to find one that can easily connect to your smartphone for customized or remote control. And if you’re really looking to elevate your floors, consider a robot vacuum with a mopping function to make your surfaces shine. Finally, look for other advanced features like mapping capabilities or smart-timers. We know that’s a lot of information to keep in mind while you shop, so we’ve created a thorough guide to help you better understand these features, as well as some product suggestions to get you started.

How much cleaning time do you want?

A robot vacuum is only as good as its battery life. Fortunately, many robot vacuums have batteries that last at least one hour. If you have a larger living space you might want to look for something that can last between 90 to 120 minutes to make sure the robot can get to every nook and cranny before needing to recharge. Keep in mind, some vacuums have different power settings, like high intensity or turbo that might drain its battery more quickly. Think about how you want to use your vacuum, what your regular time frames for cleaning will look like, and whether or not you need more surface coverage or suction power.

Most robot vacuums will either alert you when the battery is low or they will dock themselves at their charger. They may also do this automatically after every clean, which means you’ll never have to bother with locating a charging cable or deal with the consequences of forgetting to plug it in. A truly smart robot vacuum will take care of itself after taking care of your floors.

Do you want to control the robot vacuum with your phone?

The best robot vacuums pair with your smartphone so you can create customized settings and control your clean remotely. When we say these things can get fancy, we mean fancy. A device compatible robot vacuum might be able to pair with Alexa or Google Assistant, follow invisible boundary lines you create to keep it away from loose rugs or lots of cables, generate statistics based on a recent clean, tell you how much battery life is left, and virtually map your living space. Being able to control a robot vacuum from your phone means going to brunch with friends, running to the grocery store, picking up your kids from school, and coming home to a clean house. Some models even allow you to set a predetermined schedule for cleaning so you won’t even have to pull out your phone to get it going. Keep in mind, it might be a good idea to be home for your robot’s first clean so you can identify any tough spots or issues your little machine might face.

Before purchasing make sure you check each vacuum’s compatibility, especially if you are using an Android or you are looking to connect to a specific virtual assistant. Many of the vacuums are going to work great with any smart device, but we would hate for you to get ready to connect only to end up disappointed.

Do you want it to take out the trash for you?

Not all robot vacuums can collect the same amount of debris and detritus before needing to be emptied out. Think about how frequently you’re hoping to vacuum your home and how much dust, dirt, and pet dander might accumulate in the meantime. If you have a smaller living area, keep things relatively tidy, dust and sweep often, or vacuum regularly, you might be able to survive on a smaller bin. However, if you know you need something more heavy-duty, don’t skimp on bin storage. The average dustbin size is 600 milliliters; some can go up to 700 or 750. These dustbins are easy to remove and don’t require extra work, such as bag or filter replacement. If you have a cat or dog (or a very hairy human) running around the house, consider a vacuum that specifically boasts its ability to pick up hair and dander.

One of the best features a robot vacuum can have is a self-evacuating bin. Instead of emptying a bin after every one or two cleaning sessions, your vacuum will automatically deposit all of its collected dust bunnies, forgotten LEGO pieces, food crumbs, and other artifacts to a larger bin at its docking station. Many of these stations come with allergen filters and other sensors to keep its contents completely sealed. It will let you know when it needs to be emptied so you don’t have to worry about spillage or clogging. Now that’s some seriously futuristic cleaning.

Do you want a mop, too?

We are pleased to inform you that the best robot vacuums can also mop, so not only will you have all the dirt and debris sucked away but you’ll also have sparkling clean floors free of stains and spills. These vacuum-mop hybrids have two compartments: one for collecting the bits and pieces that are suctioned up and another to hold water that will go over hardwood or tile flooring. These hybrids typically come with a sensor that informs the robot where carpeted areas can be found, which the vacuum will avoid when it’s time to mop. That’s one more chore your smart vacuum can take care of and one more episode of TV you get to watch instead!

If the vacuum you are looking at doesn’t have its own mopping function, or maybe a hybrid isn’t in your price range, look for models that are able to pair with a separate robot mopper all together. Many brands create individual vacuums and mops that communicate with one another via smartphone or internal programming to schedule cleanings one right after the other. They can often be stored next to one another and have similar special features and battery life—so you can count on this dynamic duo to get the job done.

Does it know your home?

We touched on special features a little bit when we outlined smartphone compatibility, but we want to dive in further and really explain the kinds of advanced features you might want to prioritize when considering which robot vacuum is right for you. The first thing to look for is a vacuum with obstacle identification features, so your vacuum can identify small barriers like power strips, cables, pet toys, or shoes. There’s nothing worse than coming home and finding your vacuum trapped in an endless battle between your internet router and your kid’s favorite stuffed animal, right?

You can also look for specific mapping capabilities that determine whether or not your robot cleans randomly or methodically. A random robot using a “bounce” cleaning method might have object identification sensors—but it won’t necessarily keep track of where in your house it has been, and will go over areas more than once for a thorough clean. A methodical vacuum has sensors that track where it’s been and what areas of the house it’s covered. This is often faster, but not always the most thorough. However, these methodical cleaners collect data over time to retain a virtual map of your home for a more efficient clean. Just make sure you keep the lights on during a vacuuming session, because these sensors need to quite literally “see” in order to collect information and avoid bumping into things. Once this data has been collected, you might also be able to set up boundaries or no-clean zones from your phone. This tells the robot where to avoid, like a play area or delicate carpet.

You can also look for a vacuum with a camera so you can see where it is or simply check in on your home. There are almost endless advanced features you can choose to prioritize depending on your needs.

FAQs

Q: Do cheap robot vacuums work?

Affordable robot vacuums can still achieve the clean of your dreams but might sacrifice some added features, like self-emptying, smart-home connectivity, or mopping capabilities. That said, even a cheap robot vacuum will still drastically cut down the time you spend on chores—in our book, that’s a win.

Q: Is it worth getting a robot vacuum?

You can spend less time cleaning when you have a robot vacuum in your arsenal. While models are still evolving with better technology, those with families, pets, or simply limited spare time can benefit from investing in a robot vacuum. Regular vacuums—like a this one from Dyson—can be quite pricey as well, so why not spend a bit more and relegate the chore to hands-free software?

Q: Can robot vacuums go from hardwood to carpet?

In short, it depends. While some models can auto-detect the transition from carpet to hardwood floors, others will need you to map out different zones. These maps can help your robot vacuum determine what modes it needs to be on for each area to ensure an overall deep clean.

The final word on shopping for the best robot vacuums

An amazing, hands-free clean should now be well within reach with a robot vacuum. There are so many options out there and we hope you now know what to look for when venturing out to get your new robotized housekeeper. Keep in mind that the best robot vacuums are worth investing in for an efficient, smart, and clean home with the push of a button.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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