Robot vacuums used to be considered futuristic, the type of technology you’d see in an episode of The Jetsons. But nowadays, they are commonplace. And they are much more sophisticated than you might ever have imagined. They can intelligently map the floor plan to ensure a full clean, even clean by room. Many of them work with a mobile app and voice commands. Some even have built-in wet mopping functions. Busy homeowners love them because they can run effortlessly at the push of a button. They are ideal for maintenance cleaning weekly, even daily. The decision on which one to buy, however, can be a tough one. Here, we have devised a curated list of the best robot vacuums in 2024.
How I picked the best robot vacuums
As Best Buy Blog’s Appliances Editor, I have reviewed a number of robot vacuums over the years. I, of course, have not reviewed every model available. But I have used my experience with the category along with insight from fellow reviewers on the Best Buy Blog to devise this list. I also examined product specs, online reviews, experience with specific brands, and overall brand reputation. Here you’ll find the best robot vacuums you can buy for various scenarios.
Best overall robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba Combo j7+
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum and mop offers an advanced four-stage cleaning system with powerful suction and intelligent floor mapping. Smart obstacle avoidance recognizes everything from socks to charging cords, even pet waste. Smart features include voice and app control. Use the app to monitor cleaning, get clean reports, revise maps, troubleshoot issues, and more. The vacuum can run a dry vacuum across hard floors then wet mop. It detects carpet and lifts the mop pad to continue vacuuming efficiently in one fell swoop.
I haven’t reviewed this specific model but I have been using the j7+ dry vacuum for some time. It does a great job of mapping the house then running an efficient clean. The Dirt Disposal bin is a wonderfully simple and hygienic way to get rid of the collected dust and debris: the bag only needs to be changed a few times per year. The app works beautifully for remote control. Best Buy shoppers rate this vacuum high in terms of quality, value, and ease of use. It’s the best overall thanks to its ability to seamlessly transition from dry vacuuming to wet mopping. It handles a full clean of your home with little to no effort.
Best robot vacuum for pet hair: Narwal Freo X Ultra
Yes, the Narwal Freo X Ulta cordless robot vacuum and mop is on the expensive side, but it’s worth it if you have pets that shed. This high-powered robot vacuum comes with a zero-tangling floating brush that’s specifically designed to capture both long hair and pet hair. With an impressive 8,200Pa suction power, it can perform wet mopping as well. The base station automatically washes and dries the mop, base, and bin and dispenses detergent.
I recently reviewed the Narwal S10 Pro wet & dry upright vacuum mop that uses similar self-washing and drying technology from the company and it works like a dream. With a solid five-star rating from Best Buy customers, the Narwal Freo X Ultra appears at the top of many lists ranking the best robot vacuums for pet hair. “My floors haven’t been cleaner,” enthuses one Best Buy reviewer. Another shopper who bought it after welcoming a new puppy and recognizing the need for deeper cleans calls it the “best purchase I’ve made in ages.”
Best robot vacuum for mapping technology: iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max
The iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max robot + AutoWash dock robot vacuum has detection sensors and a built-in camera for precise navigation. Object and obstacle avoidance ensures it doesn’t bump into walls. Set “no mop” zones, like carpets or “keep out” zones, like the kids’ playroom. It even notifies you when it detects hazards so you can clear the area before running another pass. Once the home is mapped, choose to clean everywhere or just a specific room, like the kitchen. It navigates in neat rows and under and around furniture. Cliff detect automatically avoids stairs.
I have been using the iRobot app that works with this robot vacuum for years and it’s intuitive, especially when it comes to mapping. You can adjust maps as needed, rename rooms, and more. The inclusion of voice control means you can give commands like “Alexa, tell Roomba to clean the kitchen,” which allows you to get the most out of its mapping technology.
Best budget robot vacuum: eufy Clean RoboVac LR20
Eufy has a reputation for well-performing yet affordable robot vacuums. The eufy Clean RoboVac LR20 will get the job done on a budget. It has LiDAR technology and iPath Laser Navigation for ultra-precise mapping. Superior suction power lifts dust, dirt, and debris from both hardwood floors and carpets. It doesn’t come with a self-emptying base, but it does work with an app and boasts an almost 2.5-hour runtime per charge.
Ideal for smaller homes and apartments, Best Buy owners love that it’s small enough to get under beds and low furniture. It rolls easily over carpets with great suction power. For homeowners or renters on a budget that only need periodic cleaning or a robot vacuum for weekly maintenance, this one offers great value for dollar.
Best robot vacuum with self-emptying bin: iRobot Roomba Combo i5+
For those on a tight budget, the iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ has the same dock as the j7+ that sucks everything up from the vacuum’s dustbin. It holds up to two months’ worth of dirt and debris. It’s not as powerful as the more premium models but it’s compact and lightweight. Plus, it combines both dry vacuuming and wet mopping.
One happy Best Buy customer says they use this vacuum every day. They call it a “heavy duty machine” that has made a difference on their floors and saved them time. I have used the self-emptying bin technology from iRobot and it works effortlessly and effectively. While it sounds rather loud when sucking up the debris, you can be assured that the bin is being sufficiently cleared out. Removing and replacing the bag inside is a cinch.
The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is a stylish and compact robot vacuum. What makes it stand out alongside the powerful suction is the full-width brush bar designed specifically to reach right to the edges and corners of walls and around furniture. Controllable via the MyDyson app, 360° vision allows it to navigate seamlessly, avoiding obstacles in its way. It can even climb over thicker rugs and fit under low furniture. A quiet mode is appreciated if you want to run it while you’re working at home or late at night while everyone is asleep.
Having used (and reviewed) many Dyson cordless vacuums with similar technology, HEPA filtration, and brushes, I’m confident this model won’t disappoint. One happy shopper, who has two German Shepherds at home says it does a great job along the edges of the walls.
Best robot vacuum for smaller homes: Shark Matrix
Offered at an affordable price and in a compact package, the Shark Matrix is an ideal option for smaller homes or apartments. It comes with a self-emptying bagless base that can hold up to 30-days-worth of dust and debris. The 360° LiDAR vision maps the home and avoids objects on the floor.
Despite the lower price, this robot vacuum still offers app and voice control, targeted cleaning by rooms as well as cleaning schedules, and powerful suction for both hard floors and carpets. With an almost perfect 5-star rating from Best Buy customers, one calls it the “best robotic vacuum that I ever had.”
Best robot vacuum for battery life: bObsweep Dustin
You might not be familiar with bObsweep, but the bObsweep Dustin is a solid robot vacuum to consider. With powerful suction that can tackle even pet hair, built-in wet mopping, mapping, app and voice control. It has a large 3.5-litre dustbin with self-emptying technology, and is suitable for all floor types. It’s particularly good for larger homes. Why? It boasts an impressive run time per charge of 150 minutes. That’s more than two hours before it needs recharging.
You won’t have to stop the clean midway through to let it recharge. The rated battery life should be long enough to complete a clean of your entire home. That includes even larger, three-level residences. “It is super accurate and precise on the areas, easy to set up, [and] easy to use,” writes one pleased buyer. “I would highly recommend.”
Looking for more? Other robot vacuums to consider
This list of the best robot vacuums is by no means comprehensive. If none of those models meet your needs, or you’re looking for additional choices, there are many other robot vacuums, including robot vacuum and mop combinations, that might be a better fit for you and your household beyond these top eight.
Shark ION robot vacuum: If you don’t need wet mopping for a home that’s mostly carpeting, this vacuum could be the best fit. It offers high-tech features like app and voice control, has multi-surface brushes, and sensors to avoid ledges, stairs, furniture, and walls.
Roomba Combo j9+ self-emptying robot vacuum and mop: As the most premium and newest option in the iRobot Roomba line, this model offers double the suction power and automatic solution refill for mopping. Intelligent features include automatic sensing of the dirtiest rooms (think the kitchen after a big dinner prep) to clean those areas first. It has a much bigger and heavier dock and weighs slightly more. But it’s ideal for larger homes and big families.
Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni robot vacuum and mop: Despite a cheaper price tag, this model has similar features to other brands. This includes object detection, advanced mapping, and a self-emptying base. Along with Alexa compatibility, it comes with the company’s YIKO voice assistant. The charging base offers hot water mop cleaning and hot air drying, further helping you save time.
What to consider when buying a robot vacuum
There’s a lot that goes into choosing a robot vacuum. Before deciding, review our robot vacuum buying guide for more detailed information about the category. But here are a few quick considerations to make.
Your available space: Determine where the robot vacuum will be placed, especially if it comes with a larger self-emptying base. The base needs space around it on all sides and a clear path for the vacuum to start its clean once you initiate a cycle. If it’s a tight spot, you might need to go for something smaller.
How often you clean: If you have a large household, kids, and/or pets and find that you vacuum often, you’ll want something with good suction power. You’ll also need long battery life so it can clean an entire floor, even home, in one go. A self-emptying bin means you don’t need to empty it every time.
Home layout and floor plan: For complex floor plans with plenty of twists and turns, get a robot vacuum with superior mapping capabilities. There should be options to make corrections to the map as needed in the app.
Furniture design: For low furniture, measure the height compared to the height of the robot vacuum to make sure it will fit underneath.
Hardwood vs. carpeting: If you have a mix of floor types and carpeting, get a robot vacuum that can perform equally well on both. With thicker carpets and older floors with paneling, smooth navigation is crucial, along with high suction power for getting deep down dirt and debris.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do robot vacuums work on all floor types?
All robot vacuums work on hard floors, including hardwood, laminate, and tile. Many also work on carpeting. Most perform best with thinner carpets, like carpet runners and area rugs. Some with wet mopping capabilities can sense carpeting and put wet mopping on hold. For ultra-thick and plush carpeting, consider a powerful upright vacuum instead.
Can a robot vacuum replace regular vacuuming?
A robot vacuum is great for daily or weekly maintenance. Set it to run while you tend to other chores. But you’ll still need a main vacuum, like a cordless or upright, to tackle tougher jobs. These are also necessary to get into crooks and crevices a robot vacuum can’t reach as well as on stairs, furniture, and more.
How often should I clean the dustbin and brushes?
If it doesn’t come with a self-emptying dock, manually empty the dustbin after every clean. Rinse the dustbin with warm soapy water every week or two, at least once a month. Make sure it’s completely dry before re-inserting. Clean the brushes and filter weekly or at least monthly as well. Use a small brush without harsh bristles (some robot vacuums come with one) to remove debris or hair caught inside. Side brushes can be removed and wiped down with a dry cloth. Roller brushes may need to be replaced at least once or twice per year, depending on how visibly worn they are.
Do robot vacuums work well for homes with pets?
Yes! Some come with special brushes designed to capture pet hair more effectively. Models like the latest iRobot Roombas have a guarantee they won’t pass over excrement and drag it throughout the home. If you own pets, look for a robot vacuum that’s specifically designed for pet owners. You should still, however, have a larger upright vacuum to tackle deeper cleaners.
How do self-emptying robot vacuums work?
Self-emptying robot vacuums return to a charging base automatically once done to dock and empty the bin. Powerful air sucks the debris from the bin into a bag. When the bag is full, open the lid, remove the bag and discard, then clip on a new bag. Replacement bags usually come in multi-packs. With bagless docks, remove and empty the bin once it’s full, rinse, dry, and put it back in place.
Do you need another vacuum if you have a robot vacuum?
It’s recommended to have a separate upright or cordless vacuum alongside a robot vacuum. Robot vacuums help you save time for daily or weekly maintenance. But you will still need a manual vacuum for furniture, drapes, ceilings, mattresses, stairs, and other places the robot vacuum can’t get to.
What is LiDAR vs. SLAM?
Robot vacuums with mapping use either LiDAR or SLAM. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) uses laser-based navigation to determine distance and data points throughout the home. Some find it quicker, but it is not generally as precise. By contrast, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) uses cameras to capture visual landmarks, like furniture and walls. This allows for more intelligent mapping, including object avoidance. In the end, one isn’t necessarily better than the other: it comes down to the hardware and software that goes along with it.
Get your new home cleaning companion
Robot vacuums are a wonderful addition to any home. They run independently so you can keep floors and carpets clean while you relax. The number of options, however, can be overwhelming. iRobot is a popular brand that excels in this space, and you can’t go wrong with any of its latest models. But other brands excel in various departments, from great value for dollar to excellent battery life and performance for pet owners.
How can you choose? Determine your top priorities, like intelligent mapping of a large open concept home, being able to vacuum and mop in one fell swoop or getting rid of daily pet hair. Based on our experience and that of colleagues, online reviews, and Best Buy customer feedback, these recommendations for the best robot vacuums represent the cream of the vacuuming crop.
Narrow it down using the tips and recommendations we provide here, then explore the full range of robot vacuums at Best Buy.
Table of Contents
- How I picked the best robot vacuums
- Best overall robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba Combo j7+
- Best robot vacuum for pet hair: Narwal Freo X Ultra
- Best robot vacuum for mapping technology: iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max
- Best budget robot vacuum: eufy Clean RoboVac LR20
- Best robot vacuum with self-emptying bin: iRobot Roomba Combo i5+
- Best robot vacuum for edge cleaning: Dyson Vis Nav
- Best robot vacuum for smaller homes: Shark Matrix
- Best robot vacuum for battery life: bObsweep Dustin
- Looking for more? Other robot vacuums to consider
- What to consider when buying a robot vacuum
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Get your new home cleaning companion
