If you shudder at the thought of pulling your vacuum out of the closet, a robot vacuum could be the perfect solution to your cleaning woes. After setting one up, it can clean your space automatically — you can even put it on a schedule to clean when you are out of the house.
We spoke with cleaning and electronics experts to learn more about robot vacuums — their features and their flaws as well as the top brands to shop. We combined their recommendations with our own testing experience to pick the best models to shop.
To pick the best robot vacuums, we considered expert and staff recommendations alongside top-rated models from notable brands. We also paid special attention to the following details for each product:
- Navigation and object detection: We prefer robot vacuums with more advanced navigation and object detection, such as LiDAR sensing and AI-object recognition, as they typically lead to a more reliably hands-off experience. These features can drive up the vacuum’s price point, however.
- Capacity: We only selected models with a dustbin capacity of at least 350 milliliters, or those with a larger self-emptying base station. Larger capacity and self-emptying features means a more automatic experience with less manual work.
- Price: Features like heated mopping and smart obstacle detection are nice to have, but sometimes you are just looking for something to tackle simple vacuuming. We included robot vacuums across a range of price points to better match various needs.
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Our top picks come from a variety of brands including Eufy, Roborock, iRobot and Shark. We also list key specifications we think you should know about in the “What to know” section of each recommendation.
Best overall
If you want a robot vacuum that’s easy to use and can do a little bit of everything, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni is a great option. “I was afraid using a robot vacuum would be too complicated for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this one was to set up and start cleaning,” says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez. The brand sent him a unit to test out, and even as a first time robot vacuum owner, it only took about 15 minutes for him to understand how everything worked.
It comes with a robot that can vacuum and mop plus a base-station where the robot can automatically empty debris, empty dirty water, fill up with fresh water, dry mop pads and recharge its battery. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni also has advanced navigation, obstacle avoidance and room mapping features, as well as no-go zones and customized cleaning routines through the Eufy app.
Best budget
This competitively-priced model from Roborock has a ton of convenient features while still having a reasonable price tag. It can intelligently map your home (even multiple floors) and avoid obstacles as it cleans. You can also use the app to set up no-go zones, scheduled cleanings, custom routines and more. While it doesn’t come with a base station, it has decent battery life and a large 500 millimeter dust bin capacity.
If you want an even more hands-off version, consider the Roborock Q10 X5+, which is largely the same robot vacuum, just with an auto-emptying base station. However, it is more expensive.
Staff pick
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses an older version of this model, the Shark IQ XL, to reduce the amount of cleaning she has to do in her small apartment. Setup is easy, with the vacuum navigating and mapping out her space on the first startup, says Godio.
The standout feature is the self-emptying and charging base station. The robot will go back to its base station whenever it’s full and empty the debris into the base station’s larger canister. The base can hold up to 45 days worth of dirt and dust, but Godio empties it twice a month to be safe.
You can use the Shark Clean app to set up specific no-go zones, create a cleaning schedule and see the robot’s map of your space.
My pick
I’ve been testing the Eufy Omni E28 since its April launch (the brand sent me a unit to try out). Since then, it’s become an invaluable time-saver — I rarely have to vacuum or clean up my floors outside of accidents and messes. The built-in vacuum and roller-bar mop are exceptionally powerful compared to the competition at this price point. Plus the E28 can deftly maneuver around my apartment with its navigation tech.
One standout feature is the built-in deep cleaner. It’s stored in the base station — unplug and remove it, and you have a mini deep cleaner akin to something like a Bissell Little Green Cleaner.
Best splurge
If you want your robot vacuum to do it all, and do it all well, consider this high-end option from Roborock. It has two vacuum roller brushes that have higher suction force than most of the competition, and a sonic mopping system that vibrates the mop rapidly to scrub out stains.
It also has a large, robust base station that holds debris, dirty water, clean water, and recharging capabilities. It also cleans and dries the robot’s mop pads when it’s docked. Like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, this robot vacuum has a plethora of smart mapping, navigation and obstacle detection features and an app where you can customize everything to your liking.
Expert pick for vacuuming
Carl Prouty, the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer, recommends the J9+ from Roomba — it has powerful suction and excellent room mapping.
The robot uses a built-in camera to avoid unexpected obstacles, according to the brand. Like other models from Roomba, it automatically maps out your space during its first cycle. You can also use the app to set up no-go zones, which can help the robot focus on easy-to-clean areas within your space.
It has one corner sweeping brush and two long central rolling brushes underneath, which helps gather dust and crumbs. It comes with a self-emptying base station that holds up to 60 days worth of debris, according to the brand.
Expert pick for mopping
Kathy Turley, the director of marketing at Home Clean Heroes, says this vacuum and mop combo robot is one of her favorites for hardwood floors, and it costs less than many competitors. It comes with two tanks: one for vacuuming and one for mopping. To switch between vacuuming and mopping, you have to physically swap the tanks on the robot.
The mopping mode uses microfiber mop pads that are machine washable. In mopping mod, the machine will avoid soft surfaces like rugs, according to the brand.
Navigation on this Bissell is not perfect, says Turely. In some cases, you may find it cleaning the same area of your floor several times, and you may need to give it a helping hand.
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Robot vacuums have come a long way — they are more powerful, more efficient and more capable of cleaning different floor types than ever before, says Prouty. They are designed to make cleaning simple, but the robots themselves can be difficult to shop for, with confusing model names and multiple versions that look the same at a glance. Our experts highlight a few factors to keep in mind to narrow down your choices as you shop.
Consider the size of your living space
The size and layout of your space will dictate what kind of robot vacuum is best for you.
It can take a robot vacuum up to two hours to clean a medium sized space, says Turley. If you have a large home, consider a robot vacuum with a charging base station, that way, they can charge mid-routine if needed.
If you live in a multi-floor home, having two smaller robot vacuums can be helpful — that way, you don’t have to carry one up and down the stairs, says Prouty.
Special considerations for pet owners
Pet owners should prioritize a few features. One is waste detection — if your pet has the occasional at-home accident, a robot vacuum that can intelligently avoid pet waste is crucial, says Prouty.
Prouty and Turley recommend pet owners run their robot vacuum daily. That’s why pet owners should consider a robot vacuum with an auto-emptying base station. This lets the robot empty its contents into a larger bin, so you aren’t constantly having to empty the much smaller on-robot dustbin, says Prouty.
Set reasonable expectation
Robot vacuums are extremely convenient, but even the most advanced models are not a replacement for hand vacuuming, mopping and cleaning, according to our experts. Some cannot get under low furniture, most cannot navigate stairs, and none are as powerful as a full sized vacuum, says Prouty.
Robot vacuums may not always clean in a straight line. If uneven vacuum marks drive you crazy, you might be better off with a cordless vacuum, says Turley.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Kathy Turley is the director of marketing at Home Clean Heroes, a customizable home cleaning service company with locations in six states.
- Carl Prouty is the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer based in Glenview, Illinois.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on air purifiers, fitness trackers and over-ear headphones. For this piece, I spoke with cleaning and electronics experts to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of robot vacuums. I also tested robot vacuums, and spoke with NBC Select staff to get their staff-favorites.
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