There’s nothing quite like the tedium of vacuuming floors. While it doesn’t come with the ick factor of scrubbing toilets, pushing and dragging a noisy, cumbersome vacuum remains its own kind of torture. Fortunately, robot vacuums are here to do that thankless task for us–and an increasing number of models can mop your floors, too.
Once you’ve dealt with the initial setup, robot vacuums require little effort to manage. They don’t have unwieldy cords to wrangle or hoses to contend with, and you can run one from your couch using a physical remote or smartphone app. Pricier models can even be programmed to wake up and start cleaning without any intervention at all.
Why you should trust us
TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing robot vacuums for years, and we frequently evaluate the latest hardware, along with their accompanying mobile apps.
We’ve checked out single-purpose robot vacuums, hybrid robot vacuums with mopping functionality, robovacs with self-emptying base stations, and vacuums that can map your floors as well as scoot around obstacles.
You can trust us to guide you to the right robot vacuum for your needs.
Updated April 8, 2024: We’ve added a link to our feature about robot vacuum navigation technology. From bump-and-run to LiDAR and SLAM and vSLAM, robot vacuums employ a variety of tech to find their way around your home, map your floors, and avoid obstacles, and each method has its own pros and cons.
The most affordable robot vacuums essentially feel their way around a room, using an array of sensors that tell them when they’re too near a wall, about to fall off a cliff, or too far away from the charging station. Other vacuums use more advanced camera and/or laser navigation that allow them to map your floors and sweep in regular patterns, but they’re also pricier, and they raise privacy concerns, too.
Our guide will help you make sense of SLAM, vSLAM, LiDAR, and other jargon related to robot vacuum navigation, Once you know your way around the various types of robot vacuum navigation tech, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions when shopping for the latest models.
Our top picks in robot vacuums and vac/mop combos
iRobot Roomba j9+ — Best robot vacuum overall
Pros
- Excellent obstacle detection/avoidance
- Detects dirt levels and prioritizes room cleaning accordingly
- Impressive cleaning peformance
Cons
- PrecisionVision navigation feature depends on ambient light
- Many app controls buried in sub-menus
Why we like the iRobot Roomba j9+
With its new flagship, the Roomba j9+, iRobot has taken the best features of its predecessor and added a new superpower: the ability to identify and prioritize the dirtiest rooms in your home. The Roomba j9+ can also spot and avoid obstacles on the floor (including pet poop), and it now comes with a more compact self-emptying Clean Base. The result is a truly automated cleaning experience that should be welcome in any household.
Who should buy the iRobot Roomba j9+
With its terrific suction power, self-emptying base, and ability to avoid obstacles, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is a great choice for anyone shopping for a robot vacuum. Yes, the Roomba j9+ is expensive, but we believe the robot’s ability to complete vacuuming jobs and empty its dustbin without human intervention makes it well worth the money. Just keep in mind that the Roomba j9+ is a robot vacuum only, not a hybrid vacuum/mop.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni — Best robot vacuum/mop combo for pet owners
Pros
- Thorough, balanced vacuuming and mopping
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
- Auto-detangling brush
- Requires little hands-on attention from user
Cons
- Large base station
- Self-cleaning functions are noisy
Why we like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni
Eufy’s X10 Pro Omni is one of the latest vacuum and mop combos to promise a hands-off cleaning experience, courtesy of an AI-enhanced robot and a self-maintaining base station, and we’re happy to report that it mostly delivers. The X10 Pro Omni does an impressive job of navigating floors and avoiding obstacles, and besides emptying its own dust bin and cleaning its mop heads, the robot can even detangle its roller brush, perfect for dealing with pet hair.
Who should buy the Eufy X10 Pro Omni
With its self-cleaning abilities and navigational prowess, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni should appeal to a wide range of robot vacuum shoppers, but the bot’s auto-detangling brush makes it a must-have for pet owners. Even better, the price is right.
iLife A4s Pro — Best budget-priced robot vacuum
Pros
- Simple controls
- Multiple cleaning modes
- Powerful suction
- Budget price
Cons
- No advanced navigation features
- Doesn't create maps of your home's interior
Why we like the iLife A4s Pro
This robot vacuum blends powerful suction with straightforward controls, an approach that kept its price tag less than $200 when we first reviewed it. It’s current street price is roughly $180. This vac doesn’t create sophisticated maps of your home’s floor plan, so you’ll need to deploy its battery-powered ElectroWall to prevent it from going into rooms where it could get in trouble. But one person’s perks are another person’s pain points, and if you prize simplicity and competence in your technology, the iLife A4s Pro will make you very happy.
Who should buy the iLife A4s Pro
In case you hadn’t already guessed, the iLife A4s Pro is a terrific option for those who want a robot vacuum but don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars for one. No, the budget-priced iLife A4s Pro doesn’t offer LiDAR navigation or AI-aided object avoidance systems; mopping and self-emptying bins are off the table, too. But if you want a robot vacuum that delivers powerful suction for south of $200, the iLife A4s is–if you ask us–your best bet.
Read our full iLife A4s Pro review
Wyze Robot Vacuum — Best budget robot vacuum, runner-up
Pros
- Includes laser mapping and room customization
- Three suction levels
- Advanced features at a budget price
Cons
- Easily gets stuck under low-slung furniture
- Can't be controlled with voice commands (Alexa or Hey Google)
- No specialty cleaning modes
Why we like the Wyze Robot Vacuum
Wyze delivers a raft of top-shelf features not typically available in budget robot vacuums. Its LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, for example, enables it to build an editable floor map of your space. That’s typically a perk of robot vacuums in the $400 to $800 range. Same goes for its ability to section that map into multiple rooms and dispatch the vacuum to any one of them.
Who should buy the Wyze Robot Vacuum
On a budget, but looking for a robot vacuums that’s a tad more sophisticated than a basic bump-and-run model? Give the Wyze Robot Vacuum a try. Packing LiDAR-enabled floor mapping and the ability to add virtual walls to the map, the Wyze Robot Vacuum costs more than the aforementioned iLife A4s Pro, but you get a whole lot more vacuum for the money. You will miss out on features like a self-emptying dock and mopping, but that’s not surprising given the vacuum’s sub-$300 price tag.
iRobot Roomba Combo J9+ — Best robot vacuum/mop combo
Pros
- Retractable mop arm keeps carpets dry
- New Clean Base design blends in with home furnishings
- Recognizes and prioritizes dirtiest areas
Cons
- Companion app’s maps are basic and many controls are buried in sub-menus
- Mop pads must be cleaned manually
- Expensive
Why we like the iRobot Roomba Combo J9+
With new intelligent automation features and an attractive new Clean Base, the Roomba Combo J9+ vac/mop hybrid further refines iRobot’s flagship product. The robot vac/mop combo can identify the dirtiest areas of your home’s flooring and will automatically spend extra time cleaning them more intensely. And pet owners will appreciate its ability to recognize–and automatically avoid–any pet waste in its path.
Who should buy the iRobot Roomba Combo J9+
If you like everything about the iRobot Roomba j9+ robot vacuum, but want a smart appliance that can also mop your hard-surface floors, the Roomba Combo J9+ should be on your short list. It’s an excellent vacuum and its retractable mop arm will prevent its mopping function from wetting your rugs and carpeting while it’s scrubbing your kitchen, bathroom, and other bare floors.
Roborock S8+ — Best robot vacuum/mop combo, runner-up
Pros
- Powerful suction
- Excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance
- Highly customizable maps
Cons
- Mopping struggles to remove sticky gunk and stains
- Expensive
Why we like the Roborock S8+
The Roborock S8+ is an efficient cleaner with loads of customization options. While its wet cleaning can’t compete with an old-fashioned stick mop, it’s does the best job of the many mopping robot vacuums we’ve tested. Overall, it’s a superior option for supplementing your regular cleaning routine.
Who should buy the Roborock S8+
The Roborock S8+ is a reasonably priced choice for those who want a robot vacuum that can also do a little light mopping. No question, the Roborock S8+ is a better vacuum than it is a mop–for the latter, it just drags a wet cloth across the floor, meaning it will struggle with deep stains. That said, the S8+ will add some polish to vacuum jobs, which it does with LiDAR-powered navigation and an impressive 6000 Pa of suction.
Dreame X30 Ultra — Most sophisticated robot vacuum
Pros
- Great vacuuming and mopping performance
- Self-cleaning
- Excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance
Cons
- Mop-raise system doesn't always prevent carpets from getting wet
- Expensive
What we like about the Dreame X30 Ultra
The DreameBot X30 Ultra produces great vacuuming and mopping results with minimal input and intervention on your part. During our real-world testing, this vac didn’t once encounter an obstacle it couldn’t recognize and navigate around and never required us to intervene on its behalf. And its onboard camera system can pull double duty as a roaming security camera when you’re away from home.
Who should buy the Dreame X30 Ultra
A lot of robot vac/mop combos promise to free you from the drudgery of vacuuming and mopping, but end up needing periodic attention to ensure they’re tangled in shoelaces and power cables or dragging your pets water bowl across the floor. The Dreame X30 Ultra costs a pretty penny, but it will do its cleaning–including cleaning itself–without expecting you to get your hands dirty.
Narwal Freo Ultra X — Most sophisticated robot vacuum, runner-up
Pros
- Great vacuuming and mopping performance
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
- Automatically cleans its mop heads
- Disposable dust bags hold up to 7 weeks of debris
Cons
- No self-emptying dustbin
- Very large base station
- Expensive
Why we like the Narwal Freo Ultra X
It’s expensive, and its jumbo-sized base station lacks self-emptying functionality. But if you hate vacuuming and mopping and want some automated help, the Narwal Freo X Ultra is one of the most sophisticated floor cleaners we’ve tested. This feature-packed vac delivers top-notch vacuuming and mopping performance, cleans its own mop heads, and expertly dodges obstacles.
Who should buy the Narwal Freo Ultra X
As you might expect, the Narwal Freo Ultra X is expensive, making it better suited for robot vacuum shoppers with deep pockets. The robot also comes with an exceptionally large base station, so you’ll need plenty of space in the area where the Freo Ultra X calls home.
How we test robot vacuums
To help you determine which ones are worth the expense, we tested models from some of the most popular brands in a real-world lab: my home, where the floors are punished daily by two kids, three cats, and a dog.
I tasked each one with vacuuming a 400-plus square-foot space that includes low-pile carpet, hardwood flooring, and linoleum that was regularly littered with food crumbs, pet hair, tracked-in dirt, stray cat litter, and other debris.
To maintain the real-world environment, each model also had to contend with random floor clutter during several cleanings.
What to look for when shopping for a robot vacuum
These are some of the top features and characteristics to consider when looking for a robot vacuum. Naturally, not all of the features below will be available at every price point.
For example, we wouldn’t expect a sub-$200 “bump-and-run” model to offer Wi-Fi connectivity or an obstacle avoidance system.
On the other hand, we would expect a top-of-the-line robot vacuum to pack a self-emptying base station, room mapping capabilities, and even the ability to both vacuum and mop.
Size
The dimensions of a robot vacuum matter for a couple of reasons. First, they will determine how well it can get into tight spots, such as under your kitchen cabinets and low-clearance furniture (couches and recliners). If it’s too tall, it won’t be able reach into these spots, or worse, it will get in and get stuck until you physically free it. Second, the bigger the robot vacuum, the larger the dustbin.
Robot vacuums don’t use expandable bags like many of their stand-up brethren do, so when it comes to debris capacity, what you see is what you get. There is no sweet spot for robot vacuum dimensions that we could determine—it really depends on your particular room layout—but a diameter of 13 to 14 inches and a height of 3.5 to 4 inches are the most common measurements we encountered.
Wi-Fi connectivity
Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums allow you to control them with a smartphone app instead of, or in addition to, a physical remote. That convenience alone doesn’t really warrant the extra cost these models command, but some model’s apps also provide other perks, such as detailed cleaning histories and the ability to save and edit floor maps for better navigation. Those models are worth considering if you’re cleaning large, intricate spaces.
Room navigation and obstacle avoidance
The allure of robot vacuums is their promise to complete their task with minimal management from you. In order to do that, they must be able to navigate a room’s unique layout, maneuver around furniture and other obstacles, and avoid hazards such as falling down stairs and getting tangled in electrical cords.
Robot vacuums “see” the world through a combination of sensors. Cliff sensors let it know when there is an increase in distance to the floor—e.g., stairs or a sunken living room—so it doesn’t tip over the edge. Other sensors tell it when it has bumped into an object, so it can change direction, or is near a wall, so it can follow it. Still other sensors help the robot vacuum track how far it has travelled.
The most advanced robot vacs will include laser navigation for mapping the layout of your floors, while obstacle avoidance systems can help bots weave their way around shoes, socks, toys, and other items strewn on the floor.
Check out our guide to robot vacuum navigation more details, including the scoop on SLAM, vSLAM, LiDAR, and other robot navigation technologies.
Self-emptying base stations
While robot vacuums take over most of the cleaning, they have historically required the user to step in and manually empty the dustbin. Given that most robot vacuums’ have a very small dustbin capacity, they might need to be emptied multiple times per cleaning job, particularly if you have children or pets or live in a large home. That’s not just annoying, it can be downright uncomfortable if you have allergies or dust sensitivity.
Auto-emptying robot vacuums bridge the last mile of the vacuuming process with a charging dock that includes a canister vacuum and a dust bag that can hold one to two months of debris. When the robot docks after a cleaning job, its bin’s contents are automatically sucked into the dust bag. Typically, the robot’s companion app alerts you when the dust bag is full, at which point you will have to manually dispose of it. Many bags, however, seal themselves when you remove them, so no dust escapes.
Mopping capabilities
Some robot vacuums include a mopping capability to meet all your floor’s cleaning needs with one device. While this sounds like a great idea, in practice it often yields subpar results. The problem is the method these hybrid devices use for wet cleaning. Mopping robot vacuums include a flat, small-capacity water tank that you fill from your tap. A microfiber cloth is then attached to the bottom of the tank, and the tank is installed under the robot. As the robot rolls across the floor, it drags the dampened cloth over it. This usually removes surface grime and spills but leaves deeper dirt and stains behind.
If you have a lot of hard flooring in your home, it’s worth considering a dedicated robot mop. These appliances are better suited to wet cleaning, spraying water directly on the floor to soften gunk and stains, and applying some agitation via a scrubbing pad or brush.
If you still want a vac/mop hybrid, look for one that has spinning brushes or pads as opposed to a cloth that attaches to the bottom of the appliance. A model with a docking station that can clean those brushes or pads and reservoirs for clean and dirty water are even better. Those models will, of course, cost quite a bit more.
Frequently asked questions about robot vacuums
How much does a robot vacuum cleaner cost?
The convenience robot vacuums provide come at a cost: As much as $1,700 at the high end, with many of the best models running no less than half that.
On the other end of the scale, there are plenty of good “bump-and-run” robot vacuums that cost less than $200. These bargain vacuums lack sophisticated navigation and mapping systems; instead, they simply move in a straight line, changing course once they bump into an obstacle.
While the priciest robot vacuums require the least hand-holding, the cheaper “bump-and-run” models can be quite effective and reliable–after all, they have fewer systems that can fail.
How do robot vacuums operate?
Fundamentally, the robot vacuums in our guide all operate the same way: They autonomously maneuver around your home on a couple of wheels suctioning debris from your floors. Two to four brushes on the bottom—both rolling-style agitators and spinning side brushes—grab dirt from the floor and wall edges respectively, and guide it into the suction area or direct it straight to a small, filtered dustbin. When cleaning is complete, or their battery is running low, they return themselves to their charging dock. But just how they get the job done can differ across manufacturers and models.
Be aware even the most premium robot vacuums are a supplement, not a substitute, for your stand-up vacuum. Despite manufacturer claims, most just don’t have the same suction power of an upright. Think of them as an easy way to maintain your floors in between deeper cleanings with your current vacuum.
How do you control a robot vacuum?
Autonomy puts the “robot” in “robot vacuum.” Virtually all models include an “automatic” mode that requires you to do nothing more than press a button on a remote, in an app, or on the vacuum itself to clean a room. This is great for ad-hoc cleaning, but most models can also be programmed to clean on a schedule. The latter scenario is great if you want them to work when you’re not home, or to create a regular cleaning routine. Some higher-end models also integrate with smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, which allows you to control them using voice commands.
Do robot vacuums have different cleaning modes?
Just as your stand-up vacuum can be adjusted to clean either carpet or hard flooring, so too can a robot vac. Most feature the ability to change suction and other cleaning functions to adapt to different floor surfaces, either automatically or with input from you. They may also have a spot mode for more concentrated cleaning on a small area (cleaning up a spill, for example), include options for single- and double-passes of a room, or offer an option to focus just on cleaning along wall edges and baseboards.
How do robot vacuums avoid cleaning the same area twice or more?
Manufacturers are increasingly including mapping capabilities in some of their robot vacuums. These models use an onboard camera or laser reflections to produce a 360-degree view of the room. This allows the robot vac to create a map of the space and locate itself within that map.
The advantage of mapping is the vacuum will know which areas it has already cleaned and which it hasn’t, to avoid going over the same spot unnecessarily. It also lets it know where to resume cleaning if it must stop and recharge midway through the task. This makes it ideal for larger rooms and—because it’s still something of a premium feature—larger budgets.
Can I prevent a robot vacuum from going into a particular room?
In an ideal world, you’d clear all your floors of clutter before using your robot vacuum. But we live in the real one and that’s not always possible or desirable. Knowing this, many robot vacuums include some way to block off areas you don’t want it venturing into, whether it’s a pet’s area, your kids’ room, or a cluster of device cords in the corner.
Often it’s just a length of magnetic tape you stretch in front of or on a forbidden area that the vacuum’s sensors will detect and tell it to avoid. But some models employ virtual barriers, such as the ability to designate boundaries on a floor plan that signal the robot to steer clear.
Other notable robot vacuums we’ve reviewed
We’ve evaluated many other robot vacuums. If none of our top picks check all the boxes for you, take a look at these other products. We’ve also listed some robot vacuums we think you should avoid.
- Deebot Ozmo N8+: This affordable vacuum delivers a mostly automated cleaning experience, complete with LiDAR navigation and editable maps. But the Ozmo N8+’s self-emptying bin is annoyingly loud, and its mopping functionality offers only good, not great, performance.
- Dreame Technology L10: This powerful robot vac is among the most affordable we’ve seen to offer LiDAR navigation, and it boasts as wealth of customization options. But the L10 has trouble avoiding carpets while it’s mopping the floor, and (like other vacuum/mop hybrids) it’s not the best at tackling deep floor stains.
- Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete: The Deebot X2 Combo Complete successfully integrates a robot vacuum/mop and a cordless stick vacuum into a single self-maintaining system for maximum convenience. That said, you could conceivably purchase separate products toward the same end and still spend less than the $1,699.99 Ecovacs is asking for this package.
- Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni: The Deebot X2 Omni is an impressive (and expensive) robot vacuum and mop that allows for highly customized, hands-off floor cleaning. It delivers super-strong suction and offers a wide range of cleaning customization options, but its rotating mopping pads didn’t provide enough downward pressure to scrub away stains.
- Eufy X8 Pro: The first vacuum and mop combo from Eufy with an auto-detangling brush, the Eufy X8 Pro will be a tempting pick for pet owners. That said, the X8 Pro’s mopping abilities are only so-so, and it has a tendency to get stuck in low places.
- Eufy X9 Pro: This vacuum/mop hybrid is one of a growing number of models that offers rotating mops heads, perfect for scrubbing gunk and stains, and its vacuuming performance is just as impressive. But we’re disappointed by the lack of a self-emptying bin, particularly given the $900 list price.
- Narwal Freo: This 2-in-1 floor robot cleaner performs well enough, but it needs better obstacle avoidance and a much more refined app to justify its high price tag.
- Proscenic Floobot X1: Self-emptying dustbin? Check. Vibrating mop pads that scrub floor stains and grime? Check. Affordable price tag? Check. But while the Floobot X1 sounds great on paper, in practice it bumped into our furniture too often, scanned its environment too slowly, and required frequent recharging.
- SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+: If you’re in need of a smaller robot vacuum, this bot is half the size of the competition. That makes it a great candidate for cleaning smaller spaces, such as apartments. Unfortunately, it’s saddled with half-baked mopping functionality, which merely drags a damp microfiber cloth over your floors–and thus, it doesn’t rank as one of our top picks.
- Vactidy Nimble T8: This budget 2-in-1 vacuum and mop boasts the right price and features for budget-constrained users, but its inability to clean for more than 10 minutes without a recharge makes it impossible to recommend.
Author: Michael Ansaldo, Freelance contributor
Michael Ansaldo is veteran consumer and small-business technology journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive and PCWorld.