UPDATE: Apr. 20, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to include the best deals on robot vacuums from iRobot, eufy, and more.
Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or hope to make your home upkeep a bit breezier, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.
Robot vacuums under $200
Why we like it
You won't get smart mapping at this price point, but the Eufy Clean G40 does provide quite thorough coverage through neat rows, which provide more cleaning accuracy than the bump-and-go approach through gyroscope guidance (hence the "G" in the title). It manages to squeeze out more than an hour of cleaning on Max mode, and has suction more than strong enough for hard floors and light carpet upkeep.
Automatically boosts suction on carpet
100-minute battery life
Schedule cleanings in the app
More robot vacuums under $200
iHome AutoVac Juno(opens in a new tab) — $99
$199(save $100)Eufy G30 Verge(opens in a new tab) — $158
$178(save $20)Neato Robotics D8(opens in a new tab) — $199
$399.99(save $200.99)
Robot vacuums under $500
Why we like it
Giving up obstacle recognition and a live camera shaves nearly $300 off the price of Samsung's Jet Bot AI+, leaving you with the mid-range Jet Bot+ at $399.99 — a whole 50% off its regular $799. The non-AI Jet Bot still receives pretty outstanding reviews for its accurate laser mapping and — surprise — ability to actually find the room or zone you select. Suction automatically adjusts depending on floor type and debris is automatically transferred to the slim Clean Station.
5-layer HEPA filter
90-minute battery life
Self-emptying dock holds 60 days' worth of debris
More robot vacuums under $500
Eufy G35+(opens in a new tab) — $258
$479.99(save $221.99)Neato D9(opens in a new tab) — $279
$499.99(save $220.99)iRobot Roomba i1+(opens in a new tab) — $288
$529.99(save $241.99)Shark EZ(opens in a new tab) — $292
$399(save $67)iRobot Roomba i3 Evo(opens in a new tab) — $299.99
$349.99(save $50)Roborock Q5(opens in a new tab) — $299.99
$429.99(save $130)iRobot Roomba i4+ Evo(opens in a new tab) — $399
$649.99(save $250.99)Roborock Q5+(opens in a new tab) — $499.99
$699.99(save $390)
Robot vacuums under $800
Why we like it
Samsung's website and Amazon are constantly duking it out for the best price on Samsung's most advanced robovac. Amazon is currently winning with a 48% price slash that definitely makes this vac worth it.
Like the Roomba j7+, the Jet Bot AI+ uses an array of 3D sensors to identify small obstacles that other robot vacuums usually eat, like cords and pet waste. Like the Roomba s9+, the Jet Bot AI+ has one flat edge that offers pristine corner cleaning and wall trailing. What sets the JetBot AI apart is an onboard security and pet camera that can live stream directly to your phone.
Room mapping, zone cleaning, and small obstacle avoidance
90-minute battery life
Self-emptying dock holds up to two months' worth of debris
More robot vacuums under $500
Roborock Q7+(opens in a new tab) — $549.99
$799.99(save $250 with on-page coupon)
Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops
Why we like it
Roborock debuted a slew of new robot vacuums in 2022. Of the new Q Series, the Q7 Max is the most advanced model that opts out of the self-emptying dock. For only $50 more than the regular Q7, the Q7 Max deploys around 35% more suction power, making it an obvious pick for homes with pets or lots of carpeting. Those carpets won't get wet, though, as the Q7 Max knows to lift its mopping pads when carpet is detected.
LiDAR room mapping and zone cleaning
180-minute battery life
4200 Pa suction power versus 2700 Pa of Roborock Q7
More hybrids and robot mops on sale
Ecovacs Deebot N8+(opens in a new tab) — $260
$649.99(save $389.99)Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1(opens in a new tab) — $299.40
$449.40(save $150 with code ROBOT150)Yeedi Vac Station(opens in a new tab) — $329.99
$499.99(save $170)Roborock Q7(opens in a new tab) — $349.99
$529.99(save $180 with on-page coupon)Ecovacs Deebot T8+(opens in a new tab) — $349.99
$699.99(save $350)Roborock S7(opens in a new tab) — $429.99
$649.99(save $220 with on-page coupon)Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 with Self-Empty XL(opens in a new tab) — $499.60
$699.60(save $200 with code ROBOT200)
What to consider when buying a robot vacuum
Suction power is key
A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), with most current vacs ranging between 1,500 Pa and 3,000 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set a no-go zone around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.
Know your floor type
Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.
Consider automatic emptying
Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small — which means they frequently require emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock. These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out.
Think about your home's layout
Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you'll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.
Pay attention to low-profile furniture
No one should have to be scared about what's accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.
Assess battery life and square footage
One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you'll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 200 minutes, which translates to about 500 and 2,800 square feet covered on one charge.
Look for app control
WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, and cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you're not home. Low-end models that don't connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you're used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.
