Although some books from our childhood predicted that we would live in a world of flying cars and robot butlers today, robot vacuums are the most notable futuristic-looking products.
Robot vacuums have come a long way since the first robot vacuums from Electrolux and they released iRobot in the early 2000s. Not only are they more efficient at moving around your home, but they also cover more ground faster, and some models empty their own bins. Some models can even mop the floor at the same time they vacuum.
The push of a button (or a tap on your smartphone screen triggers today’s vacuums), and they suck up a bunch of crumbs, dust bunnies and pet hair before you even notice them. You can schedule automatic cleanings or have your smart speaker trigger them when you leave your house. These futuristic features are a dream come true for those who love a sparkling clean floor - or those who hate vacuuming (we understand your pain). As the owner of a husky and a German shepherd, robot vacuums are a lifesaver for pet owners who, like me, deal with the frequent accumulation of pet hair on their floors.
With an abundance of robot vacuums on the market right now, I compared and tested the latest models to select the best robot vacuums for all your cleaning needs.
The best robot vacuums of 2022
What to consider?
Even if you have another vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum or handheld vacuum, you find a robot vacuum makes cleaning a breeze.
The best part about a robot vacuum is that it cleans with no effort and it continues to clean without being interrupted or distracted by another task - something I am guilty of. They are also the key to getting your home clean as quickly as possible. You can vacuum the living room while picking up items around the house, cleaning the bathroom or doing whatever you need to do before guests arrive.
There are hundreds of robot vacuums available at a wide range of prices, and choosing one is as difficult as vacuuming the inaccessible area under the couch. While all the robot vacuums we recommend can clean both carpets and hard floors, they differ. Here are some key features to pay attention to before making a purchase.
➥ Size + Shape
Be sure to look at the size of whatever robot vacuum you’re considering and measure the clearance under your furniture so that you buy a robot vacuum that’s short enough to get under your furniture effectively. One advantage of taller vacuums is that they usually have larger dust pans, so you don’t have to empty them as often.
There are also a handful of D-shaped robots from brands like Neato and iRobot, which are more effective at cleaning in corners. However, I’ve found that round vacuums don’t get stuck as often. Their side brushes still work well for sweeping debris into tight corners, too.
➥ Battery life.
You’ll want your robot vacuum to cover as much ground as possible before it has to retreat to its docking station to recharge, so I recommend calculating the square footage of your home before determining the best robot vacuum to buy for you.
As a general rule, most robot vacuums can cover about 1,000 square feet in an hour. More affordable robot vacuums offer only 90 minutes of run time. Finally, it takes about an hour and a half to recharge a robot vacuum, and most models will pick up cleaning where they left off last time.
➥ Navigation
The biggest difference between budget, mid-range and high-end robot vacuums is their navigation method. The best robot vacuums use cameras, lasers, and advanced algorithms to get around. Cheaper models move forward until they hit something - then they’ll turn around and adjust to keep moving in a straight line until they hit another object to start the process again until they run out of battery.
➥ Features
Besides different navigation methods, robot vacuums also vary in their number of features. Many smart robot vacuums come with companion apps that you install on your smartphone so you can control the vacuums remotely and schedule cleanings. Apps for the more expensive vacuums also allow you to display maps of your floor plan so you can tell your robot to clean (or avoid) specific rooms and areas of your home. Some robot vacuum models turn into robot brooms and can even empty their own trash cans.
How we tested
I’ve been comparing robot vacuums for 5 years now and have tested over 20 different robot vacuums from 14 different manufacturers to determine which ones navigate the most efficiently, deliver the most suction to clean up crumbs, dust, debris, and hair while offering a good balance between price and performance.
Other review sites and consumer reviews selected the products I tested for this guide because they are the newest in the market or held in high regard. Speaking of consumer reviews, I’ve read hundreds of reviews from robot vacuum owners who have shared their experiences - good and bad - while using them.
I tested these robot vacuums in four different homes, with original floor plans. We tested every robot vacuum at least three times (and sometimes more) to determine if it could vacuum up breakfast cereal, dog food, pet hair, dust bunnies, and fine debris like coffee grounds. I not only weighed the amount of waste they vacuumed up, but I also noted their ability to navigate. The number of brushes, bin size, battery life, and the ease of emptying the vacuums were all considered. For models with automatic emptying, I compared how long and how many debris they could hold before their dust bags (or bins) needed to be replaced.
I looked at how well each robot vacuum worked on different floors, including carpets, low-pile carpeting and bare floors (tile and hardwood). I paid attention to how well they picked up debris along walls and their ability to switch between floor types and navigate thresholds.
I tested all the add-on apps and extra accessories, such as mop attachments and magnetic strips or beacons that you put on to prevent vacuums from accessing certain areas of your home. I also tested the obstacle recognition and object avoidance features and became familiar with all the map customization features.
Over the course of a three-month testing period and after vacuuming up enough pet hair and dust bunnies to make a quilt, I chose seven favorite models after eliminating the robot vacuums that were likely to get stuck or need constant monitoring. Below are the seven best robot vacuums that are worth your investment to clean your floors at the touch of a button.
1. Roomba i3 EVO robot vacuum cleaner
The iRobot Roomba i3 EVO, a mid-range device, is the best robot vacuum for most people because of its ability to navigate, its exceptional cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors, and its durability. What sets the Roomba apart from competing vacuums, like the Roborock S4, is that it has dual rubber brush rollers. In testing the vacuum, I found the brushes are exceptionally resistant to tangling hair, and they help remove embedded dirt and debris from carpeting.
As for performance on hard floors, the vacuum effortlessly picks up dust, crumbs and debris of all shapes and sizes. Another delicate touch is that when Roomba detects an area with more debris than usual, it will go over that area multiple times. The Roomba i3 performed better than most other robot vacuums and left my carpets and floors almost spotless, which is no small feat considering I’m a husky owner.
In my testing, I could run the i3 EVO for about an hour and a half before needing to recharge it. My only complaint is that every once in a while, it locks up. Other more expensive vacuums, like IRobot’s latest Roomba j7, have better obstacle avoidance features that allow the vacuum to maneuver more efficiently.
My recommendation is to go with iRobot’s i3 EVO+, which includes iRobot’s “Clean Base,” a device that automatically empties your dust bin into a closed bag that lasts two months. The Roomba i3 EVO is an affordable alternative that still offers top-notch cleaning performance, a useful app for remote control and impressive battery life.
Buy: Roomba i3 EVO robot vacuum cleaner
2. Robot vacuum cleaner S4 Max
I can’t recommend the Roborock S4 Max enough for pet owners who are desperate to minimize the hair on their floors. This vacuum cleaner is very smart and offers exceptional cleaning performance without breaking the bank. My tests revealed this vacuum was effective at cleaning bare floors and vacuuming pet hair from carpets. It was also quieter and faster than competing robot vacuums like the Neato D8, making it a good choice for extensive areas.
Its navigation performance is where it really shines. The vacuum learns the layout of your home in a single cleaning session. For comparison, the $900 Roomba S9+ that I also tested took four tries. Once the S4 Max saves the map, you can create no-go areas and invisible walls where you don’t want the vacuum to clean (for example, near your pet’s water bowl). This is a feature that the Roomba i3 EVO lacks.
You can even ask it to clean specific rooms or draw areas on the map where you want the vacuum to do a spot cleaning. I enjoyed using this feature to clean under my couch and around my dining room table.
If you’re looking for a great robot vacuum with superior suction, great navigation technology, and a convenient app, the Roborock S4 Max is worth considering. It lasted over 2 hours on a single charge, which is another reason it should be on your shortlist.
Buy: Robot vacuum cleaner S4 Max
3. S7 Robotic Vacuum and Broom
The Roborock S7 is the first robot vacuum cleaner that vacuums and mops at the same time. It can even detect carpets and automatically lift its microfiber mat when it approaches a carpet or rug.
On one charge, the Roborock vacuum could clean my entire 2,500 square foot home. If you live in an even larger home, the Roborock is smart enough to return to its docking station to recharge and pick up cleaning where it left off. You can count on about 180 minutes of battery life.
The robot vacuum provided above average cleaning performance. Crumbs in my dining room, coffee grounds between my kitchen tiles and pet hair on my living room carpet are all gone. Although it doesn’t have front-facing cameras like the Roomba j7, the vacuum easily cleaned in corners, around bar stools and between chair legs. It uses LIDAR technology (the same sensor as autonomous cars) to map your home, clean in a straight line and avoid obstacles.
With the Roborock app, you can set regular cleaning schedules, show when you don’t want the vacuum to run, remotely instruct it to clean specific rooms or areas of your home, and adjust the vacuum speed. There is also an incredibly useful “No Zones” setting that you can turn on to have the vacuum to avoid certain areas of your home. I use this feature to keep the vacuum cleaner out of my pet’s bowls.
With a price tag of $650, the Roborock S7 isn’t cheap, but it’s a luxurious robot vacuum that’s unlike any other, and it offers some of the best cleaning performance I’ve seen among robot vacuums. If you have the budget, also consider the Roborock S7+, which includes a useful “Auto Empty Dock” that sucks debris from the robot’s trash can. The base uses 3-liter vacuum bags, which can hold 8 weeks’ worth of dust and debris.
Buy: S7 Robotic Vacuum and Broom
4. Roomba j7 robot vacuum cleaner
The best robot vacuum cleaner is one that works so well you almost forget about it, which pretty much sums up iRobot’s latest robot vacuum cleaner, the Roomba j7+.
What sets it apart from most other robot vacuums is its excellent navigation performance. It navigates in a straight line and uses an on-board camera to avoid obstacles such as socks and cords, which could get caught up with other vacuums and stop cleaning completely. I really like that you can turn it on without feeling the need to tidy up your house before running it.
The Roomba j7+ vacuum it equipped cleaner with iRobot’s convenient Clean Base. So when the vacuum’s canister is full, it automatically returns to its base, empties into a closed bag (which doesn’t need to be replaced for 2 months) and resumes cleaning where it left off. Compared to other self-draining vacuums like the Roborock S7+, Roomba i3 EVO+ and Roomba S9+, the j7+’s canister is more compact, so you can store it under tables. It also looks more like a piece of furniture, thanks to its fancy leather accents.
In my testing with the j7+, I found it was better equipped to handle steep thresholds, and it offered better carpet cleaning performance than competing vacuums on its price range. The latter is probably because of its dual rubber brush rollers. I also like that the Roomba is shorter than other robot vacuums, which makes it easier to clean under furniture.
My only slight flaw with the j7+ is that for it to work and navigate properly, it needs to be in a well-lit room. Other vacuums like the Shark AI Self Empty XL use LIDAR to navigate and can move in the dark. Fortunately, it comes with a headlamp for the occasional nighttime cleaning session. While I wish the j7+ was a little cheaper, this vacuum is an absolute beast for sucking up dust bunnies, crumbs and pet hair. More than worth the price if you can afford it. It comes with a user-friendly app, supports voice commands and empties itself.
Buy: Roomba j7 robot vacuum cleaner
5. RoboVac G20 Hybrid Vacuuming Robot
The RoboVac G20 Hybrid from eufy is an affordable yet powerful robot vacuum cleaner that moves through spaces better than other options in its price range. That’s because it uses a gyroscope-powered navigation system and intelligently designed algorithms to divide your home into 13-foot by 13-foot cleaning zones that it systematically cleans one by one.
Other options, like iRobot’s Roomba 694, are “bump-and-run” robots, meaning they move in a straight line until they hit something, turn around, adjust and move on. The process repeats until their battery runs out.
During my testing with the RoboVac, the vacuum navigated my space without a problem. It didn’t get stuck, and its slim profile helped it clean in tight spaces. The RoboVac even automatically adjusts its suction power based on the type of surface it’s cleaning on. For example, when it went from hardwoods in my living room to carpet, it immediately increased the suction speed.
Despite its suction power, I found the vacuum to be quieter than other options. For comparison, this one measures 55 decibels, compared to 68 decibels for the iRobot i3 EVO.
While it impressed mehich lacks the mop function but still has exceptional suction power, and the same smart features, including scheduling and remote start - for a lower price.
Buy: RoboVac G20 Hybrid Vacuuming Robot
6. XL Self-Draining Robot Vacuum Cleaner AI
Despite the convenience of a self-draining vacuum, it can be annoying and expensive to replace the dust bags regularly. The ones from IRobot cost about $5.50. Roborock’s are a little cheaper ($3.50), but depending on how long a bag lasts, replacing dust bags can cost well over $100 a year.
Shark is one of the few robot vacuum manufacturers that has created a robot vacuum base with a dust pan that you can throw in the trash - just like a stick vacuum. The only other option I know of is the Roborock S7+, which typically costs around $950. Shark’s AI robot vacuum is about $400 cheaper and comes in two sizes. The smaller model can hold the equivalent of 30 days’ worth of debris, and the larger one holds twice that. It has a handy, clear window on the side, so you can see how full it is and know when it’s time to empty it.
The Shark uses a combination of LIDAR and algorithms to navigate and avoid obstacles. I found this technology to be much more refined than the previous Shark robot vacuum, the AV1010AE IQ, which jammed more regularly and couldn’t clean in the dark. It’s worth mentioning that because of the LIDAR sensor, the vacuum is quite tall (10 cm), so it may be too tall to clean under your furniture.
As far as cleaning performance goes, I found the Shark to excel on hardwoods. It has two side brushes to repel dust bunnies and a self-cleaning brush roll on its bottom that stands up well to tangled hair. I also liked the UltraClean spot cleaning mode, which offers more suction power and cleans your floors in a crosshatch pattern to keep them looking pristine.
In my testing, the Shark AI struggled to cross the threshold between my hallway and bathroom. Other vacuums have made it through, but the Shark often got stuck. It had no problem getting around other obstacles in my house, like dining room chairs or large dog bones I forgot to put away.
With the SharkClean app, users can schedule cleanings in advance, set no-go areas, and adjust the vacuum speed easily. They also impressed me with the vacuum’s 2-hour battery life. Overall, the Shark AI vacuum is a great option for people who live in large homes and are looking for a self-draining vacuum that doesn’t require expensive dust bags.
Buy: XL Self-Draining Robot Vacuum Cleaner AI
