Best Robot Vacuum in 2020 (September Reviews)
To determine the best robotic vacuums for the home, we looked at a range of criteria. Specifically, we prioritized floor compatibility, smart technology integration or proprietary app options, programmability, vacuum height, runtime, suction power and additional bonus features. We only looked at vacuum models that had the ability to clean hard floors and at least low-profile carpets. We also made note of vacuums that could integrate into smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and operate through simple voice commands. Vacuum height is important as it impacts whether your robotic vacuum can easily maneuver in low clearance spaces. Programmability gives you the ability to have your floors cleaned while you’re away and runtime will impact how quickly your vacuum can clean a designated space before needing to return and recharge at the charging dock.
Because of the above, we selected the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S as our Top Pick. While it did lack smart assistant integration, the remote control allows you to program cleaning times. A maximum of 100 minutes of runtime for hard floors, a 1300Pa suction that features BoostIQ plus four cleaning modes and a 2.85-inch profile ensures that it can clean under beds and beneath the furniture.
Top 7 Best Robotic Vacuums Compared
#1 eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable robotic vacuum for daily cleaning on hardwood floors and medium-pile carpets. 1300Pa suction with BoostIQ, 100-minute runtime, 10.5-inches per minute speed, self-charging, four cleaning modes, 0.6-liter dustbin, a triple filter system, remote control, and a slim 2.85-inch design for maximum clearance under furniture round out the top features.
Read Full Review: Eufy BoostiQ Robovac 11S Review
- 100-minute runtime
- 4 cleaning modes
- 1300Pa suction with BoostIQ
- Lacks smart assistant support
- Dock requires 6-feet radius
The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is our Top Pick because it offers a wide range of features at a moderate price that makes it affordable for a wider range of users. The vacuum offers a 100-minute runtime on hardwood floors at the standard suction of 1300Pa. But when BoostIQ is activated on the carpet you can expect 60 minutes and at maximum suction on carpeting, 50 minutes of run time. With four cleaning modes, you can easily make sure that your home gets a fantastic clean utilizing all of the following modes: focus on edges, spot cleaning, whole house cleaning, and automatic cleaning.
The large dustbin has a capacity of just over half a liter for longer periods between emptying. The triple-filter system helps to enhance your home’s cleanliness. And this robotic vacuum is designed to detect ledges and features anti-drop technology to avoid falling downstairs. And with a height of 2.85 inches, this vacuum should be able to successfully pass under most furniture. The best robot vacuum and mop combo is also a good choice.
#2 Ecovacs DEEBOT N79S Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: A luxe and stylish wood grain designed robotic vacuum with an enhanced 110-minute runtime. Smart technology integration with Alexa and Google Assistant, a proprietary app, side brushes to sweep, lift and vacuum, a max suction mode and three cleaning modes help secure its spot as an honorable mention.
Read Full Review: Ecovacs DEEBOT N79S Review
- Best battery life
- Smart assistant integration
- 3 cleaning modes
- Inconsistent customer service
- Difficult programming options
The Ecovacs DEEBOT N79S Robotic Vacuum Cleaner deserves to be an honorable mention because it features the longest battery life of all the robotic vacuums in our roundup. In addition to a 110-minute runtime (slightly longer than our #1 pick by 10 minutes), it also features enhanced functionality with smart assistant integration for Alexa and Google Assistant as well as respond to voice commands. The wood grain finished robotic vacuum features two brushes, and offers three cleaning modes — auto, spot, and edge.
But this model also comes with a proprietary app so you can program preset cleaning times for when you’re not home. Or you can use the included remote instead. This vacuum is designed for use on hard floors and low-pile carpeting. On carpets, the Max Mode automatically kicks in to increase suction. If you have a pool, check out the best pool vacuum robot.
#3 ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: A budget-friendly robotic vacuum cleaner for simple hard floor cleaning. Remote control, up to 100-minute runtime (tied with our #1 pick), programmable schedule, and smart sensors for anti-bump and anti-fall prevention and a max climbing height of 10 millimeters gives this vacuum the ability to climb door trims, and clean low-pile carpeting.
Read Full Review: ILIFE V3s Pro
- Best for pets
- 100-minute max runtime
- Programmable scheduling capability
- Thickest vacuum height
- Frequently gets stuck
If you’ve been skeptical about buying a robotic vacuum as a floor cleaning solution, you might not be ready to buy a pricier model with all the bells and whistles. The ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner is our Best Budget option because of the modest price that comes with a commendable range of features. With a runtime of up to 100 minutes, you can easily get your floors clean in high traffic areas, picking up dust, dirt, and pet hair.
Use the included remote to operate your vacuum or program preset cleaning times. Anti-bump and anti-fall technology keep this robotic vacuum from banging into objects or falling down the stairs. And this model automatically searches for its charging dock when the battery is low. Plus, with a 10-millimeter clearance, this robotic vacuum can shift between rooms with door trims or even clean a low-pile carpet. If you prefer a more conventional vacuum, read about the best canister vacuum.
#4 iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum-Wi-Fi Connectivity
Award: Best Dirt Removal
WHY WE LIKE IT: The iconic iRobot brand creates a robotic vacuum designed for deep dirt cleaning. A 3-stage cleaning system, dual multi-surface brushes, enhanced sensors, and 90-minute runtime, visual navigation and smart mapping combine with smart assistant integration with Alexa and Google Assistant, and a proprietary app for deep cleaning at the touch of a virtual button or voice command.
Read Full Review: iRobot Roomba 675 Review
- Deep dirt cleaning
- Visual navigation and smart-mapping
- Smart assistant integration
- Inconsistent WiFi connectivity
- Small dustbin
If you’re a pet owner or live in a home where you and the other occupants seem to magically track in dirt every second of the day, then the iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity is a must-have. With a 90-minute runtime, you can clean a range of spaces. But more importantly, it features a three-stage cleaning system that works to effectively lift and suction dirt, dust, and hair from both hard floors and medium-pile carpets thanks to the auto-adjusting cleaning head. The patented sensor technology works to increase power output and concentrate on truly dirty areas of your home.
You’ll also like that you can program this Roomba robot vacuum to clean while you’re away by using either the proprietary iRobot app or connecting it with your Alexa or Google Assistant devices. The smart mapping and navigation technology ensures your Roomba won’t be randomly bumping into common obstacles. And you’ll enjoy controlling the vacuum’s movements by zoning your home or completely blocking certain rooms from its cleaning tasks. For those who want something great for hard floors, read the best vacuums for hardwood floors.
#5 Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C
Award: Best Quiet Operation
WHY WE LIKE IT: An efficient robotic vacuum with quiet operation that’s 75% quieter than the competition.. 1500Pa suction power, 100-minute runtime, smart assistant integration, a proprietary app, and included boundary strips round out the top features.
Read Full Review: Eufy Boostiq RoboVac 30C
- 75% quieter operation
- Boundary strips included
- Smart assistant integration
- WiFi incompatibility issues
- Not ideal for large debris
Eufy makes it onto our list again with an enhanced robotic vacuum that’s perfect for someone who loves these devices but hates hearing them whir in the background. The Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C promises a 75% quieter operation as composed to competitor models. But what makes it stand out from the Top Pick (which is also a Eufy) is that this model comes with smart assistant integration for use with Alexa or Google Assistant. Additionally, it works with the proprietary Eufy Home app which allows you to program cleaning schedules.
This model also comes with boundary strips, allowing you to block off areas of the home that don’t need to be cleaned. The Eufy RoboVac 30C can clean hard floors and medium-pile carpets. You’ll also enjoy the strong 1500Pa suction, BoostIQ for enhanced power on carpets, and a 100-minute runtime. Also, check out the best handheld vacuum.
#6 GOOVI 1600PA Robotic Vacuum
Award: Best Low Profile
WHY WE LIKE IT: A low profile 2.83-inch robotic vacuum that can easily maneuver under low-clearance furniture as compared to most models that are 2.85-inches are taller. Powerful 1600Pa suction, cleaning capability on hard floors and medium-pile carpeting, electric eye tracking, 100-minute runtime, multiple cleaning modes, and 27-inch dual sweeping brushes to effectively collect dirt from edges help to make this a compelling option.
Read Full Review: GOOVI 1600PA Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Review
- 2.83” height
- 1600Pa suction
- 100-minute runtime
- Lacks smart assistant integration
- Lacks proprietary app
If you find that a traditional robotic vacuum struggles to reach small spaces under your bed or other furniture, then the GOOVI 1600PA Robotic Vacuum is the solution to your problems. With a total height of 2.83 inches, you can be sure that dust bunnies will be a thing of the past. While it lacks some of the smart assistant features that other models on our list have, it offers a powerful 1600Pa suction that is ideal for hard floors and medium-pile carpets.
Smart sensors help to keep this thin vacuum from falling down stairs or getting stuck in traps. And with the included remote control you can choose between multiple cleaning modes or create pre-set vacuum times. Best of all, the 100-minute runtime ensures you can easily clean larger homes or multiple rooms in one sweep. You can also check out models from Dyson.
#7 Roborock S5 Robot Vacuum and Mop
Award: Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: Although pricey, this model is competitive in all categories and ideal for someone in need of a powerful, enhanced and intuitive smart robotic vacuum. 2000Pa suction, 150-minute runtime, built-in mop, smart assistant integration, proprietary app, smart navigation/mapping, and zone cleaning, included barrier tape, a washable E11 filter, and a self-adjusting carpet pressurization mode help to prove why this is our pick for Best Value.
Read Full Review: Roborock S5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Review
- Built-in mop
- 150-minute runtime
- 2000Pa suction
- Pricier option
For some people, money is no object. And if this sounds like you, then we recommend checking out the Roborock S5 Robot Vacuum and Mop. In addition to the fact that it’s the only robotic vacuum with a mop, it also outperforms the other models in pretty much every category. It features the longest runtime at 150 minutes. It has the strongest suction at 2000Pa. It offers a washable E11 filter and can even automatically detect the difference between hard and carpet surfaces so that it can adjust the pressure for consistent suction.
But it can also be integrated into Alexa and Google Assistant or you can opt to use the proprietary app to schedule cleaning or manage it on demand. You’ll like that you can create zones in your home thanks to the smart navigation and mapping features. And the included barrier tape allows you to limit its work areas. You can also check out more robot vacuums and other vacuum cleaners.
How We Decided
Robotic vacuums for the home are by no means a novel or new hot item, but thanks to advancements in technology and more manufacturers opting to produce them, this device has become far more accessible in recent years. And as people get busier, having something cleaning your home in the background can free up your time for more important things. To determine the best robotic vacuums on the market, we considered a range of core features. Specifically, we targeted floor compatibility, smart technology integration or proprietary app options, programmability, vacuum height, runtime, and additional bonus features.
When it comes to flooring, one specific type of floor cannot be cleaned with a robotic vacuum. High-pile floors are not compatible with these devices. So, we looked at which models were best rated for use with hard floors, versus those that could clean hard floors and specific types of carpeting. Every model on our list can clean both hard floors and carpet. However, there’s an even mix between those that can only clean low-pile and those rated for low and medium-pile carpeting.
Smart technology integration is going to be important to you if you’re the type who wants to program cleaning times or manage your vacuum remotely while you’re at work. Throughout our research, we found that the most common smart assistants that were supported were Alexa and Google Assistant. But many models also come with proprietary apps that allow you to also remotely control your robotic vacuum through their native system. If this is a priority for you, we recommend prioritizing #2, #4, #5, and #7.
However, programmability was a relatively universal feature. This references your ability to create preset times where your robotic vacuum cleans your home. This is ideal if you hate the noise that a robotic vacuum makes, and prefer that it clean the home while you’re away. This is a feature that’s great for smart assistant supported vacuums, but that’s also supported by robotic vacuums that come with a proprietary remote control.
Vacuum height is going to be a major issue if you have a bed or other furniture that sits low. Our lowest profile robotic vacuum was the Goovi (#6) model with a total height of 2.8 inches. But most other vacuums max out around three inches. Finally, we looked at bonus features that can make a robotic vacuum more intuitive and easier to use.
Runtime references battery life or the total amount of time a robotic vacuum can operate between charges. This is important as the last thing you want is for a robotic vacuum to die halfway through a cleaning task. Even basic cordless vacuums can provide a run time of 45 minutes or more; however, the lowest runtime we found on hard floors was 90 minutes. But our Best Value choice (#7) offered an astounding 150 minutes. But the most common range was 100 to 110 minutes.
And finally, we looked at additional features that can make a robotic vacuum more functional or intuitive. The Best Value selection came with a built-in mop which is ideal because it removes two tasks from your to-do list. But other popular options include BoostIQ which allows for robotic vacuums for carpets to automatically detect it and provide more power for a consistent and thorough cleaning job across all surfaces. Additional features we included in this criteria included anti-bump and anti-fall technology to keep your vacuum from banging into surfaces or falling downstairs and ledges.
Robotic Vacuums Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Flooring
One of the biggest benefits of a robotic vacuum is that it can clean on a variety of surfaces. Whether you have hard floors like wood, vinyl or laminate, or soft surfaces like rugs and carpets, you should be fine. But be mindful that some models are designated specifically only for hard floors or specific types of carpeting. - Anti-Drop Sensors
If you have a multi-level home, this is going to be an important feature — especially if you move your robotic vacuum between floors. A quality robotic vacuum should come with an anti-drop sensor so that it doesn’t fall down the stairs when it reaches an edge. - Smart Technology
Many robotic vacuums are now enabled with smart technology so that they can work off of your home’s WiFi system. The biggest benefit of this feature is that it enables your vacuum to run more efficiently and is less likely to struggle with navigation in tricky areas throughout your home. This also means you can program your robotic vacuum to clean your home while you’re away at specific times or to only clean specific rooms. - Navigation
A quality robotic vacuum for the home should be able to effectively navigate throughout your home without quitting during a cleaning cycle or getting stuck during the process. There are a range of navigation styles. Some models employ a “bump and run” concept where the robotic vacuum moves in a straight line until it encounters an obstacle, and then pivots into a new direction. But higher-end models allow the vacuum to draw a map of the home so that it’s easier for the vacuum to clean your space the next time you use it. These models will also tend to return to their dock automatically when their batteries are low. And other models feature cameras. These models still incorporate the “bump and run” and mapping technologies of the other models, but they tend to be more precise unless you attempt to have them run in the dark. - Battery Life
Of course, battery life is important, but it’s going to be relative to the type of robotic vacuum you purchase and the size of your home. While “bump and run” bots might be considered the least intelligent, they tend to have the longest battery life and are ideal for larger homes. But it’s important to keep the total battery life and recharge time frame in mind as a shorter life span coupled with a longer recharging time means that you could have a robotic vacuum that takes all day to clean your home.
FAQs
- Is there any type of surface that a robotic vacuum can’t clean?
Robotic vacuums are ideal for a wide range of surfaces throughout your home, but there are some limitations. Specifically, high pile carpets that are ¾ of an inch or longer can be tricky for robotic vacuums due to their wheels. So, it’s best to use a traditional vacuum cleaner on these parts of your home. Likewise, you’ll have to keep your stairs or any uneven surfaces like upholstery clean on your own. - Can a robotic vacuum do more than just clean the whole house?
Almost all robotic vacuums come with a standard whole-house cleaning mode. But more advanced models may include smart features like spot cleaning for particularly dirty areas or a manual steering mode if you want to limit its movements to a specific dirty space. - How can I ensure that my robotic vacuum won’t get lost or stuck?
One of the most common causes of a robotic vacuum to get stuck is because it’s caught on something. The most likely culprits are power cords, charging cables, laundry, hanging bedsheets, and curtains. Before you activate the vacuum, you should check the floors for these hazards and remove them — or clip curtains up and out of the way. - How much should I expect to spend on a robotic vacuum for my home?
Robotic vacuums have come a long way from when they first debuted on the marketplace. These days they’re far more affordable. And that means that you can easily find a quality model for just over $100 if you’re shopping on a budget. But this model will typically feature the “bump and run” style of navigation and may have limited functionality beyond that. For more enhanced models with the latest in navigation or enhanced modes, you should expect to spend significantly more. - What’s the difference between a robot vacuum and robot mop?
A robot vacuum is an autonomous device designed to clean carpets, tiles, and hardwood floors, just like a standard vacuum cleaner. A robot mop, on the other hand, uses a water reservoir and mopping pad to mop tiles and hard floors. There are also robotic devices that combine the two features, capable of distinguishing between floor types and avoiding wet mopping while on carpets or rugs. The best robot mops and vacuums will offer compatibility with smart home integration through either Alexa or Google Assistant, programmability, different cleaning modes, extensive run times, self-charging capabilities, and more. Our top pick #7: Roborock s5 offers these features and more, making it one of the best robot mop vacuum combos available.