The 4 Best Robot Vacuums - Fall
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We've tested over 65 robot vacuums, and below are our recommendations for the best robot vacuums you can buy. These picks are selected based on performance, feature set, design, and price. For more recommendations, look at our list of the best vacuums , the best vacuums for high-pile carpet , and the best vacuums for pet hair . If you're only looking for brand-specific options, you can also see our recommendations for the best iRobot vacuums .
If you don't have time to regularly sweep or vacuum, robot vacuums are an easy way to ensure your home stays clean without needing to do all the work. Since they use technology like lasers or cameras to navigate and maneuver around a room, they can avoid furniture and get beneath couches and tables relatively easily. Some of the best automatic vacuums can self-empty their dirt compartments, reducing the work you need to do. Although they aren't as good at cleaning carpets as more traditional upright vacuums, many come with smart pathing technology to clean more efficiently. Many also come with companion apps or remote controls to set up scheduled cleaning times or place boundaries to keep it out of certain areas. You've got more questions? Don't worry&#;we've got answers! Check out our FAQ below if you want to learn more about the intricacies of robot vacuums.
Debris pickup on carpets is reasonable for the most part, though this vacuum can have a hard time with finer material embedded deep within carpet fibers. It has no trouble dealing with solid debris and pet hair on bare floors.
If you're shopping for something marginally cheaper, the Wyze Robot Vacuum is among the best budget robot vacuums we've tested. Unlike the Roborock Q5/Q5+ , this robot vacuum isn't compatible with a self-emptying base station; you'll need to manually empty its tiny dirt compartment at the end of almost every cleaning session. However, it still offers plenty of features for the money. This includes a LIDAR sensor that allows for quick and precise room mapping, even in the dark, and you can use its companion app to set up virtual no-go zones or direct the vacuum to individual rooms.
This vacuum also has a decently sized internal dustbin, so it won't need to return to its self-empty station too often, and it can cover a fair bit of ground during each cleaning session, thanks to its impressive battery life. It also manages to pack in many of its pricier stablemates' automation features, like multi-floor mapping capability and a 'Smart Recognition' feature that automatically determines which of its stored maps it's working in. Finally, the companion app lets you customize the 3D representation of your home, label specific rooms, and send the vacuum wherever you'd like using the 'Pin n Go' function.
The Roborock Q5 Max+ offers a great balance of features for the cost, making it the best robot vacuum cleaner we've tested at the mid-range price point. For starters, you lose some of the convenience features of Roborock's more expensive offerings. Gone is any mopping capability, and though it comes with a dock, it's much simpler than the multifunction dock found on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Roborock Qrevo . The Q5 Max+ also isn't capable of real-time hazard avoidance, nor is fast charging on offer. Nevertheless, there's still lots to love. Compared to older models from the Q5 line-up, the Q5 Max+ features a redesigned dual-roller cleaning head that offers performance on par with its bigger siblings.
On the other hand, the Qrevo's older twin-pad mopping system is the better option for mopping duties. Also, in terms of automation capabilities, there isn't all that much to tell the two vacuums apart: the Qrevo also supports multi-floor mapping, support for room labeling, no-go zones, and custom cleaning settings for different user-defined areas.
If you're shopping at an upper mid-range price point, the Roborock Qrevo is a good option. It's got a lot in common with the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra , with a similarly designed multi-function dock that empties its dustbin, refills its water tank, and washes and dries its mop pad. There are some differences, however. While it also has a real-time hazard avoidance system, it's less sophisticated than the S8 Pro Ultra's Reactive 3D hazard avoidance system, which is marginally better at identifying hazards. The Qrevo's single-roller cleaning head also differs from the pricier model's dual roller arrangement and does a much worse job of handling pet hair on carpeted surfaces.
Compared to the standard Roborock S8+ , the Pro Ultra comes bundled with a multifunction dock that empties its dustbin, refills its water tank from a refillable reservoir, and washes and dries its mop pad. While this dock makes for an even more hands-off ownership experience, it's worth noting that this dock is simply enormous, to the point where it might be somewhat impractical to fit in smaller living spaces.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the best robot vacuum cleaner we've tested. This high-end robot vacuum has a dual-sensor navigation system, which combines a LIDAR sensor that maps out your home with a structured light sensor at the front of the vacuum. The latter allows the S8 to identify and, if necessary, avoid common obstacles like power cords, furniture legs, or even pet waste in real-time. The vacuum can also store up to four floor maps, so you can use this model on any floor in your home. It can use its camera sensors to spot landmarks and automatically determine which room it's working in. It can also output a 3D representation of your home after mapping. You can also specify different cleaning settings for different rooms, set up no-go zones, or use the pin-and-go feature to direct it to a specific area to clean small spills.
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is a good alternative to the Roborock Q5 Max+ if you want a model with real-time hazard avoidance. However, it falls short of the Roborock regarding debris pickup performance.
The Dreame L10s Ultra is a very close alternative to the Roborock Qrevo. Both vacuums are bundled with multi-function docks and share similar motor and battery specifications. That said, the Dreame has an RGB camera that allows you to use it as a roving security camera. However, the Roborock vacuum's mopping system is much more effective in dealing with stains.
The Roborock S8+ can be viewed as a stripped-down version of the S8 Pro Ultra. It's worth a look if you don't need the latter's more advanced multifunction dock, lifting brush head, and fast-charging features and want to save some cash.
The iRobot Roomba S9 is a high-end robot vacuum that delivers super overall debris pickup performance on various surfaces but has a less advanced suite of automation features than the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, with no real-time hazard avoidance capability and no mopping system.
Can a robot vacuum fully replace a conventional vacuum?
Generally speaking, robot vacuums aren't a wholesale replacement for a full-size, manually operated machine. Most models on the market aren't powerful enough to deal with heavy debris or large piles of material, so you'll want to keep a conventional model on standby for bigger cleaning jobs. That said, robot vacuums have their market niche covered when it comes to "maintenance" cleaning; that's to say, frequent, low-intensity cleaning sessions that ensure there won't be a buildup of dust or lightweight dirt.
Are robot vacuums worth it?
Honestly, that'll depend entirely on your expectations, not to mention your budget. You don't necessarily need to spend a fortune on something that offers reasonable overall performance. Spending somewhere in the region of $200-$300 can net you a robot vacuum with LIDAR mapping, relatively advanced automation capabilities, and decent overall debris pickup performance. A good example of this kind of option would be the Wyze Robot Vacuum. The above attributes are generally enough for most, as many models in this price bracket are quick to map out your home, smart enough not to get stuck too frequently, and powerful enough to deal with most kinds of messes.
If you want to spend less than that, you're likely to be looking at a robot vacuum with a rudimentary random-pathing bump navigation system, like the iRobot Roomba 694; these systems don't generate a coverage map of your home and aren't especially time efficient; while they might achieve good overall room coverage, they're pretty slow in doing so, and are far more liable to getting stuck on obstacles and cleaning the same area more than once.
Vacuums with mopping systems, real-time hazard avoidance technology, and self-emptying capability are generally pricier. None of these features are essential, but they're worth a shot if you don't feel like emptying a vacuum's dustbin, scrubbing away stains, or ensuring your home is completely free of any potential obstacles before letting it run. It's also worth noting that prices for these niceties are creeping down. Consider the Roborock Qrevo, which offers all of these aforementioned features for not much more than the more basic stripped-down Roborock Q7 Max+.
How often should you perform maintenance on a robot vacuum?
Most manufacturers aren't shy about specifying how and how often you should maintain your robot vacuum, and it's worth noting that these maintenance intervals can vary pretty drastically from model to model. That said, there are absolutely a few things you can look out for, even outside of scheduled maintenance. You'll want to check the robot vacuum's brushroll once or twice a week to ensure no hair gets tangled in the mechanism; models with rollers with bristles, as opposed to smoother rubber rollers, tend to collect a lot of pet hair. The same goes for side brushes and wheels; stuck-on debris can jam up their mechanisms, compromising overall performance. You'll also want to dispose of any material in the vacuum's dirt compartment.
However, it's worth noting that there are plenty of models on the market that come with docking stations that suck debris from the vacuum's dustbin into an external dirt compartment or dirtbag, so you won't have to go through the process of emptying a dustbin yourself.
Can I run my robot vacuum every day?
Absolutely! This is what most robot vacuums are designed for. Some smarter models allow you to schedule cleaning sessions beforehand, so the vacuum will run while you're out and about.
How do I prepare my house for a robot vacuum?
You'll want to remove small obstacles like socks, slippers, or thicker power cords. While an increasing number of higher-end models, like the Roborock S7 MaxV, boast additional sensors that allow them to spot, identify, and, if necessary, avoid obstacles, these systems are still far from foolproof. You'll also want to remove any super-thick shag pile rugs because a lot of robot vacuums can get bogged down in really plush carpet fibers.
If you have a robot vacuum with a LIDAR sensor, you'll also want to cover up any floor-to-ceiling mirrors before it maps out your home for the first time. The laser emitted from the vacuum will bounce off reflective surfaces, effectively causing the vacuum to 'perceive' a nonexistent room and even bump into the mirror itself. You can also get around this by setting up a 'no-go' zone around mirrors, at least on models that support this kind of function.
Conversely, if you have a robot vacuum that uses an optical sensor to navigate, like the iRobot Roomba i3, leave the light on in areas you want the vacuum to clean. Unlike LIDAR systems, optical sensor-based systems need a certain level of ambient light to navigate.
It's worth noting that many robot vacuums will also struggle with navigating on really dark-colored floors. Most models on the market have cliff sensors that rely on infrared radiation to work, and since dark surfaces absorb infrared radiation, this will trigger the cliff sensors and cause the vacuum to stop.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best robot vacuum cleaners for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our robot vacuum reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While there's no single best option that's perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
Robot vacuums can help you dispose of dust, pet hair, and other debris in your home with minimal effort on your part. Even better: Some models actually empty their own dustbin . If you're looking for the best robot vacuum for your home, PCMag can help. We test robot vacuums in our own homes and have been doing so for more than a decade. With strong cleaning power, AI obstacle avoidance, and excellent self-maintenance features, the premium Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop earns our top recommendation for those in search of a truly hands-off helper. That said, all of the models on this list are well worth your consideration and span a variety of needs and budgets so you can find the best robot vacuum for you.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
4.5 Outstanding
D shape for better corner, edge cleaning
8,000Pa of suction power
Hot-water mop washing
Lifts mop over carpet
Built-in security camera and voice assistant
Efficient cleaning and mapping
AI obstacle avoidance
May still dampen carpet
Occasionally gets stuck
Shorter battery life than predecessor
The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is one of the smartest and most self-sufficient robot vacuums we&#;ve tested. The X2&#;s robust array of sensors help it efficiently map and navigate your home. The built-in AI determines vacuum strength and water flow on the fly based on the room it&#;s cleaning. It lifts the mops away from carpeted surfaces automatically. When it&#;s done, it returns to the base station, empties its dustbin, washes and dries its own mops, then refills its tank from the larger reservoir in the base. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni previously held this spot and is still a solid option, but the X2 adds hot water mop washing and mop-lifting capabilities along with a boost in suction power.
If you&#;re willing to pay a premium for convenience, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is worth considering. The Dreame and Roomba hybrids on this list have their own advantages, but the Deebot X2 Omni is our top 2-in-1 pick thanks to its strong performance and automatic mop maintenance features. Since it navigates well and can store multiple maps, it&#;s a top option for those with big homes and a mix of floor types. It handles hair and fur well, so it&#;s suitable for homes with shedding pets. The midrange Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni makes for a good alternative if you want to save some money, but if you can swing it, we prefer the premium X2 Omni, which offers more powerful suction, home security camera functionality, and lifts the mop higher.
Dimensions
12.6 by 13.9 by 3.74
Battery Life (Tested)
105 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$899.99 Amazon
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Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni Review
4.5 Outstanding
Features a bagless self-emptying base and self-cleaning brushroll
Maps your home and supports scheduling, area cleaning, and virtual no-go zones
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Comes with a physical boundary strip
Never got stuck in testing
Average battery life
Can get loud
These days, automatic dustbin emptying is becoming a standard feature of robot vacuums. While most self-emptying robot vacuums transfer the contents of their bin into a bag, the Shark IQ Robot XL takes a different approach. It has two dustbins: one in the robot itself and a larger one in the base station that only needs to be emptied about once a month. The advantage of Shark's bagless auto-empty system is that you never have to worry about running out of bags.
The Shark IQ Robot XL also stands out for its self-cleaning brush roll, which, in our testing, successfully prevented hair from getting wrapped around it, a common problem with many robot vacuums. It delivered strong suction power, effectively cleaning dust, debris, and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet, and it never got stuck. It offers a number of useful smart features, including home mapping for targeted room cleaning and virtual no-go zones.
If you're looking to upgrade from a basic robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities, the Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent choice. Thanks to its bagless self-emptying system and self-cleaning brush roll, it's one of the lowest-maintenance robot vacuums we've tested. The more expensive Shark AI XL is another compelling choice that offers double the bin capacity of the Shark IQ XL.
Dimensions
12.9 by 12.6 by 3.5 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
97 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$419.99 Amazon
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Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RVAE Review
4.0 Excellent
Mops and vacuums
Works with cleaning solution
Automatically avoids carpet when mopping
Quiet
No mapping features or voice control
Robot got stuck on some furniture in testing
Although Bissell has been making upright wet and dry vacuums for years, the SpinWave Wet and Dry is its first robot model that can do double duty. It works quickly and quietly, reliably sucking up pet hair and dust from hard floors and low-pile carpeting. Swap out the dustbin for a wet tank and the robot zips around hard floors, scrubbing them clean with its dual spinning mopping pads. Don't worry about carpeting and area rugs, though; this device automatically detects and avoids those floor types. We also like that Bissell offers several different cleaning solutions: multi-surface, pet multi-surface with Febreze, and sanitizing.
If you're in the market for a budget-friendly hybrid that excels as a mop, the Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry is a top choice. It lacks some features available on pricier models, including home-mapping abilities, voice controls, and a self-emptying dustbin, but it offers better mopping performance than most other two-in-one robots in this price range because of its spinning microfiber pads and support for sanitizing and deodorizing cleaning solutions. We recommend this model for homes with pets or difficult-to-clean hard flooring.
Dimensions
12.25 by 12.25 by 3.25 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
100 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$325.86 Amazon
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Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum Review
4.0 Excellent
Vacuums and mops
Excellent performance on hard flooring
Thoroughly covers small areas
Seamless app setup
Supports scheduling, voice control
Keeps cleaning history records
Mediocre pickup on carpet
Not the best for large homes
No Smart Maps, Keep-Out Zones
Requires regular manual maintenance
Despite being iRobot's entry-level mop and vacuum hybrid, the Roomba Combo Essential is a worthy choice. It lacks advanced navigational capabilities, but you can control it with an app or by voice. In testing, it cleaned hardwood floors just as well as more expensive models and collected pet hair without tangling. Plus, it cleaned for over two hours on a charge.
The Roomba Combo Essential is a good first model for newcomers because of its reliable performance and low price. That said, we recommend considering a lower-maintenance self-emptying model if you can stretch your budget; with the Roomba Combo Essential, you need to manually empty the bin at least every few cleaning runs.
Dimensions
12.99 by 12.99 by 3.15 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
127 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$219.00 Amazon
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iRobot Roomba Combo Essential Review
4.0 Excellent
Expertly avoids obstacles big and small
More suction power and battery life than predecessor
Learns your home for automated cleaning customization
Feature-rich app
Expensive
The Roomba j9+ uses a camera and machine learning technology to recognize and avoid obstacles as it works. It also learns which rooms in your home tend to be dirtier, and will prioritize those places first on future runs. After it learns its way around, it will navigate your home with ease and efficiency, moving gracefully around chair legs and into corners. The Roomba j9+ series also offers best-in-class obstacle avoidance, with the ability to steer clear of common household objects like slippers, pet toys, and pet waste better than the competition. When it recognizes an obstacle, it snaps a picture that you can review in the app to easily create a Keep Out Zone for future runs. Add in strong cleaning power and long battery life, and the Roomba j9+ checks all the boxes for a premium robot vacuum.
If you want a premium robot vacuum with standout obstacle avoidance and a poop-evasion guarantee, the Roomba j9+ is the choice for you. Its predecessor, the Roomba j7+, offers the same reliable obstacle avoidance, serving as a good alternative if you want to save a little money, but the j9+ has stronger suction power, longer battery life, and added smarts to prioritize dirty areas.
Dimensions
13.7 by 13.7 by 3.4 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
113 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$649.00 Amazon
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iRobot Roomba j9+ Review
4.0 Excellent
Removes, installs, washes, and dries its mop pads
Cleans its washboard
Automatically dispenses cleaning detergent
Stellar large particle pickup
Maps and cleans efficiently
Falls short of competition on deep cleaning
The Dreame X30 Ultra robot mop and vacuum is a solid performer and practically maintenance-free. As expected for a high-end model, the Dreame X30 Ultra empties its dustbin when it returns to its base station. Like a few select others, it also washes and dries its own mop pads. Beyond that, the base station even washes its own basin, taking one more chore off your plate. It also takes a unique approach to managing its mop pads as it can automatically remove them when it senses high-pile carpeting or at your command, then reattach them when necessary. While cleaning, the X30 Ultra vacuums with an impressive 8,300Pa of suction and extends its mop pads to reach under cabinets and furniture. After each mopping run, the base automatically refills the robot's internal tank with fresh water and adds a dose of detergent so it's ready for the next job.
If money is no object and you want a robot vacuum and mop that requires very little help on your part, the Dreame X30 Ultra is a top pick. The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni lacks the automatic mop removal and washboard cleaning features you get with the X30 Ultra, but costs less and cleaned slightly better in our tests. Go with the Dreame if you have high-pile carpets that can&#;t get wet or you're simply willing to pay more to minimize cross-contamination.
Dimensions
13.8 by 13.8 by 3.8 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
135 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$1,154.99 Amazon
$1,699.99 Dreame
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Dreame X30 Ultra Review
4.0 Excellent
Vacuums and mops
Includes self-emptying dustbin
Strong suction power
Automatically detects carpet
Supports virtual boundaries, schedules, and zone cleaning
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Expensive
Minor mapping issues in testing
Average battery life
The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ mops, vacuums, and empties its own dustbin, all for around $400 on sale. It is also quiet, efficient, and works in neat, orderly rows. It even senses carpet and increases suction accordingly. With 2,600Pa of suction, the Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ isn't quite as powerful as current high-end models, and it lacks some self-maintenance perks like automatic mop washing and drying, but it's still a versatile 2-in-1 robot vacuum that cleans well.
Now available for around half its launch price, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ is an excellent buy if you're looking for a hybrid robot vacuum with self-emptying capabilities on the cheap.
Dimensions
13.9 by 13.9 by 3.7 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
96 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$530.73 Amazon
$685.21 Walmart
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Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ Review
4.0 Excellent
Compact, low-profile design
Strong suction power for its size
Well-designed app
Easy to set up and use
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Features smart navigation for systematic cleaning
Doesn&#;t support strips or virtual boundaries
Battery life is on the short side
As robot vacuums get more technologically advanced, with laser navigation sensors and home security cameras, they're also getting bigger and taller. These days, it's hard to find a model that stands less than 3 inches. The Eufy RoboVac G30, on the other hand, stands out for its short stature. Measuring 12.8 inches in diameter and 2.85 inches tall, it's one of the smallest robot vacuums we&#;ve tested, meaning it can clean where a lot of other robot vacuums won&#;t fit, like under couches.
Its battery life is just OK, but the RoboVac G30 smartly navigates your home, cleaning in orderly lines instead of randomly bouncing from wall to wall like some other affordable models. The RoboVac G30 offers a lot of power for its size, and it automatically increases the suction when it moves over carpets and heavily soiled areas. Moreover, Eufy ranked as the top robot vacuum brand in our Readers' Choice survey.
With app and voice control support, smart navigation, and strong suction power, the RoboVac G30 is a solid choice for anyone on a budget. Its compact design makes it especially appealing for small homes and apartments, particularly if you have low-profile furniture. If your current robot vacuum can't clean under the couch or constantly gets stuck between chair legs, the G30 is worth a look.
Dimensions
12.8 by 12.8 by 2.85 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
88 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$175.93 Amazon
$319.99 Newegg
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Eufy RoboVac G30 Review
4.0 Excellent
Vacuums and mops
Retractable mop prevents carpet wetting
Excellent obstacle avoidance
Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
Auto-empty base
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Supports virtual Keep Out, No Mop, and Clean zones
User-friendly companion app
One unit malfunctioned in testing
Mop tank requires manual refilling each time
Scrubs less than some competitors
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first floor-cleaning robot with a fully retractable mop. When the pricey 2-in-1 detects carpet, it automatically lifts its mopping plate out of the way, rests it on top of the device where it has no risk of wetting carpets, and continues vacuuming. For comparison, Roborock's similar VibraRise mop-lifting system only works well on low-pile carpets because it doesn't lift high enough to avoid medium- and high-pile rugs. The Roomba j7+ series also features a self-emptying dustbin, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a poop-evasion guarantee.
With all the features of the standard Roomba j7+ plus mopping abilities, this Combo model is an excellent option for homes with a mix of hard floors and carpeting. Some high-end hybrids like the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni require less maintenance, but the Combo j7+ is the better option if you have light-colored carpeting thanks to its fully retractable mop. If you're loyal to the Roomba brand, it's also worth checking out the newer Roomba Combo j9+, which costs more than the Combo j7+, but offers increased suction power and a self-refilling water reservoir.
Dimensions
13.3 by 13.3 by 3.4 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
111 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$699.00 Amazon
$699.00 Walmart
$999.00 Best Buy
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iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ Review
4.0 Excellent
Excellent particle pickup
Compact design
Systematic, thorough navigation
Self-emptying dustbin
Lots of features for the price
Poor mopping performance
Occasionally gets stuck
Brush roll gets tangled
The SwitchBot Mini K10+ packs handy features like smart navigation and self-emptying functionality into a compact body for an affordable price. Its petite frame allows it to clean corners well and fit in tight spaces.
With limited mopping functionality, the SwitchBot Mini K10+ doesn't measure up to the Roomba Combo Essential or the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ in versatility. However, it's better than the former if you want methodical navigation and a self-emptying dustbin, and it's better than the latter if you have a small space and need a compact vacuum to maneuver around furniture.
Dimensions
9.76 by 9.76 by 3.62 inches
Battery Life (Tested)
110 minutes
Mop/Vacuum Hybrid
Scheduling
Virtual Walls
Remote Control
Control
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$399.99 Amazon
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SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ ReviewBuying Guide: The Best Robot Vacuums for
A robot vacuum usually costs more than a traditional vacuum, though not always. The models here range from around $200 to more than $1,700. That's a pretty sizable investment, even on the lower end. Let's consider just what you get for the price.
Unless you really love to vacuum, the task itself is pretty mundane. Depending on the size of your house, a robot vacuum can save you anywhere from minutes to hours of your time every week by taking care of a pretty thankless chore. That alone is reason enough for some people to consider one.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
Moreover, robot vacuums have reached the point where they're just as powerful and effective as regular vacuums. The robots here combine spinning brush rolls and side brushes to clean your home just as well as their upright equivalents. They're also fairly compact, so they won't take up much space. And they're slim enough to travel underneath most couches and tables, so you don't have to rearrange the furniture.
Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuums are much more affordable now than in the past. What are the benefits of connectivity? You can program and control most smart robot vacuums from your or with your voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integrations.
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE app (Credit: Shark)
Connected bots also typically generate statistics and maps of the areas they clean. Many even create personalized floor plans, allowing for targeted room cleanings and eliminating the need for you to use "virtual walls" to cordon off sections of your home.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j9+, feature a camera and artificial intelligence technology to automatically identify and avoid obstacles like shoes, toys, and even pet waste. Premium models might also function as a roving home security camera, letting you view live video of your home from wherever you are.
One of the best innovations in the robot vacuum space in recent years has been the development of models that can empty their own dustbins. Beyond offering greater convenience than traditional models, they significantly limit your exposure to dust, a big plus if you suffer from allergies. As recently as a couple of years ago, it was difficult to find a sub-$1,000 self-emptying robot vacuum, but the price of these models has been decreasing. Several excellent options are now available for less than $600, including the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+.
iRobot Roomba j9+ (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
Most self-emptying models transfer the contents of their bin into a bag, which typically holds around 30 to 60 days' worth of debris, depending on how often you vacuum and how dirty your home is. The nice thing is that you never have to come into contact with dust and debris. The downside is that you eventually have to buy more bags when you run out.
An exception is the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL, which has two dustbins: one in the robot itself, and a larger one in the base station that holds up to a month's worth of debris. When it's full, you simply remove the dustbin, hold it over a trash can, and then press the Empty button on the side. The bottom of the dustbin opens, and the contents fall out into the trash. Although allergy sufferers may prefer models that empty their contents into a bag, the IQ Robot XL is more convenient and wallet-friendly, because you don't have to worry about buying replacement bags.
The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL's large dustbin (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Self-emptying or not, most robot vacuums also equip small HEPA filters that capture allergens as they run.
To pick up pet hair, you need a robot vacuum with strong suction power. Most companies in this space advertise power in pascals (Pa), the metric unit of pressure, though iRobot doesn't always make this information easy to find. In general, the more power, the better, especially if you have carpet, but battery life and obstacle avoidance capabilities are also important factors.
High-end robot vacuums are tipping 18,500Pa of suction these days, but you don't necessarily need that much power. Robot vacuums with around 2,500Pa can still lift pet hair, but might need more passes to get it all. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav ($1,199.99) offers the strongest suction power of any model we've tested, but it didn't make this list due to its high price and middling navigation.
Generally speaking, all the vacuums on this list can clean hardwood floors without issue. To avoid damage, we recommend testing your bot in a small area on a low power level and then checking for scratches before running it on max unsupervised.
If you have both carpet and hard flooring throughout your home, you might want to consider a hybrid that can do double duty as a vacuum and a mop, such as the Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry. Standalone robot mops aren't eligible for this list because they don't suck up dirt and debris, but they can leave your hard floors nice and shiny.
For more, see our lists of the best robot vacuums for pet hair and the best robot mops.
We test robot vacuums in our homes, with the following categories in mind: battery life, navigation, obstacle avoidance, the setup process, and suction power. If it supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, we also evaluate the app experience and other smart features.
Chances are you don't want to babysit your vacuum. That means you're looking for a robot that can traverse different floor types or maneuver around furniture without your help. This is especially true if you have dark flooring, as infrared sensors might mistake a black carpet for a ledge, and refuse to pass over it. We test vacuums on hardwood, tile, and rugs to see how well they manage the transitions across various surfaces.
How We Test Robot VacuumsHow We Test Robot Vacuums
Battery life is also important to consider based on the size of your home. In general, most robot vacuums can run for at least 60 to 70 minutes, which should be enough to tackle smaller homes and apartments. If you have a bigger living area, look for a robot vacuum with at least 90 minutes of battery life so it can hit every room before requiring a recharge. To test this aspect, we fully charge the battery, start a cleaning cycle, and time how long the robot runs before it needs to be docked. In some cases, it may take several complete cleaning cycles for a robot to run out of battery.
Another note on battery life: The number you see in the chart below is what we got in testing with the normal mode active. High-power modes often bring that number down.
Of course, even the fanciest robot vacuum isn't worth much if it can't rid your floors of dirt and other debris. We rigorously test the cleaning capabilities of each robot vacuum by closing it in two subsequent 100-square-foot rooms, one with carpeted floors and the other with hardwood. In these tests, we spread a specific amount of dry, uncooked rice on otherwise clean flooring to evaluate large particle pickup and then do the same with dry sand to evaluate small particle pickup. Using a scientifically calibrated Uline Balance Scale, we weigh the dustbin before and after each test run. We test mopping capabilities separately with jelly on hard flooring.
We also note whether the robot cleans in a random or methodical pattern. Many of the latest models feature a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) laser (the same technology self-driving cars use) to map your home and plan an efficient cleaning route. But some affordable robot vacuums still haphazardly ping-pong from wall to wall, inefficiently crossing over the same space multiple times as they clean.
Finally, we test how easy it is to set up, program, and control the robot. Some require only an initial battery charge, while others ask you to install side brushes and batteries. For connected bots, app design and reliable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are major factors that impact your experience.
We provide a detailed analysis of each of these vacuums in our reviews, and you can see our vacuum product guide for the latest models. If you specifically want to stick with the iRobot brand, we also have a roundup of the best Roombas. When you find the right one for you, be sure to read up on our simple robot vacuum tips.
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