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The best robot vacuums: Expert tested
I've tested dozens of robot vacuums in my home where my son, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and cat do an incredible job of dirtying the floors. I spend countless hours evaluating factors like floor mapping abilities, battery life, and price, but more importantly, cleaning efficiency.
What is the best robot vacuum right now?
My pick for the best robot vacuum overall is the Roomba j7+, thanks to it's self-emptying capabilities, its ability to move across carpet, tile, and hardwood floors, and its easy-to-use app. It's the robot I go back to time and time again after testing others and is one that is never rotated out of my lineup. It has a permanent spot in my home, and more dramatically, my heart. Read on for the rest of my picks for the best robot vacuums.
The best robot vacuums of 2024
- Self-emptying
- Intelligent
- Auto-empty base
- Easy-to-use app
- Loud
- Unimpressive battery life
Roomba j7+ features: PrecisionVision Navigation | P.O.O.P. guarantee | Easy robot integration
The Roomba j7+ is one of my favorite robot vacuums to use throughout my house, whether on carpet, tile, or rugs. After a few initial runs, the j7+ can map a home's layout. Next, you can go to the iRobot app and choose your cleaning method. You can select which rooms you want to be cleaned, in what order, and how many times you want each room cleaned.
There aren't many robot vacuums that I trust to remove ingrained pet hair from my carpet, but the j7+ is an exception to that rule. It gets a full run of my house, and it does a great job on different floor surfaces. What sets Roomba vacuums apart from others is intelligence. The j7+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize and avoid common household objects like socks, cords, shoes, and pet waste.
Review: Roomba j7+ review: A life-changing robot vacuum
If you're a new pet owner, iRobot's P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee will make you feel comfortable enough to leave your Roomba j7+ and pet in the same area. I love knowing that, no matter what my house looks like, I can send the j7+ out to clean and it won't suck up something that it shouldn't. The peace of mind is worth every single penny. Amazon customers also rave about this feature, one saying "the object identification system is a wonderful addition for pet owners or anyone with loose wires. Having gone through three poohpocalypses with our dog and old Roomba over the past 5 years the poop avoidance system is a welcome assurance!"
The Roomba j7+ doesn't have mopping capabilities, but it does pair beautifully with the Braava Jet m6. The two iRobot products use the same technology to tag team your vacuuming and mopping needs. I tested both of these robots out, so be sure to check out my full reviews.
- Quiet self-emptying
- Dual oscillating mop heads
- MopExtend mop pads
- App isn't as user-friendly as it could be
- Expensive
- Recurring costs
Dreame X30 Ultra features: MopExtend cleaning capability | 8300Pa suction power | Multi-functional base station
The Dreame X30 Ultra is the very best two-in-one machine money can buy, and you're going to need a lot of money to score this latest and greatest machine. It sits at $1,700 regularly priced, but let me tell you why you need this machine if you have kids, pets, or both. The X30 Ultra can do it all -- vacuum, mop, avoid obstacles, self-empty, self-refill, self-clean (both the mop heads and the washboard), self-dispense the cleaning solution, and self-dry. The robot can even determine how dirty your floors are and will automatically go over them a second time (if this feature is enabled). As someone who only walks around her home barefoot, when I tell you the dual oscillating mop heads truly scrub my floors, I mean it. They look fantastic after a cleaning run. Are you convinced yet?
The mopping is superb, but the vacuuming does a great job as well. At 8,300Pa suction, the X30 Ultra handles my carpet and rugs with ease, suctioning up my pet hair and dirt while leaving pretty vacuuming lines behind. The auto-empty feature is also incredibly quiet, never once waking my son up after he's gone to bed and I'm running the machine. It features a built-in light and impressively cleans well at night with only a lamp or two on in my house. This is my favorite two-in-one machine and a must-have if you can justify the price.
Amazon reviewers also feel overwhelmingly positive about the X30 Ultra, one saying "The most impressive part it how well it cleans. I love coming home to a house that [is] swept daily and mopped twice a week (my settings)." Waking up every morning and starting with freshly vacuumed and mopped floors helps give me the best start to my day possible. I love this machine and think you will, too.
Review: I've tested dozens of robot vacuums and mops, and this one dusts the competition
- Self-washing mop head
- Intelligent mapping
- Fast and efficient
- Very strong 8,000PA suction
- Expensive
- Loud
Eufy S1 Pro features: Self-washing mop roller | 8,000Pa suction power
If you're looking for a robovac that truly does it all, the Eufy S1 Pro is one of the most advanced and high-end devices currently on the market. This home-cleaning warrior is armed with a strong 8,000Pa suction power with a rubber brush, a self-emptying charging station, a mopping roller that is continuously washed inside the robot while cleaning, a self-washing and drying station for the robot's mop, an LCD screen at the dock with touch buttons to help you choose a cleaning mode, and even a disinfecting system to ensure the mop stays free of bacteria.
The separate tanks for clean and dirty water are a brilliant innovation, ensuring your floors are only cleaned with fresh water. Improvements in mapping technology also contribute to the device's impressive efficiency, as not only does it work well, but it works fast, using less water per cleaning session than comparable unit, the Deebot X2 Omni.
Although it comes with a $1,500 price tag, in our testing of the device we can say that it's worth every dollar. For consumers looking for the top of the line in self-cleaning technology, this is it.
Review: Eufy's newest robot vacuum can do just about anything - with one notable flaw
- D-shaped design to clean corners
- Incredible suction power
- Auto empty base
- Expensive
- Battery life
Roomba s9+ features: 30% wider dual multi-surface rubber brushes | Delivers 40x power-lifting suction | Dirt Detect technology
If you're like me and have a lot of dog hair laying around, I promise if you invest in the Roomba s9+ you won't be disappointed. This is Roomba's most powerful robot vacuum to date and comes in a D-shaped design, allowing the robot to fit in the corners of your home. Once the s9+ gets going, the dual multi-surface brushes suck up everything in their paths. Even on carpet, the ingrained dog hair and dirt get sucked away and into the robot. One Amazon customer says "The Roomba not only works really well from a vacuuming perspective, but it has done a remarkable job learning the house."
As an iRobot vacuum, you can rest assured knowing the AI inside the s9+ can recognize shoes, socks, cords, and more. And Roomba does a great job keeping your devices up to date, so they're always learning and getting smarter through continued software updates.
The s9+ comes with an auto-empty base that doubles as a charging station, so once the robot picks up all of your dirt and debris, it's sucked right into an enclosed bag so it stays trapped away. The s9+'s auto-empty base is much smaller than the j7+'s, making it easier to be tucked away and blend in with your home decor.
Because this is an iRobot device, the Roomba s9+ will pair with the Braava jet m6 to completely clean your floors.
- Great suction power
- 120 minute run time
- No mapping ability
- Doesn't alert when full
Shark ION AV751 features: Tri-brush system | Stair/cliff edge detection | Alexa and Google Assistant integrated
If you're someone who is overwhelmed by all of the technology and features that come with several of the new robot vacuums, this Shark ION would be a great option for you. You don't even need the app to get this robot vac going: Simply press the Clean button and it's off. The tech inside is minimal -- this Shark doesn't map where it's been or have the AI capabilities to avoid cables or shoes, but it makes up for it with its suction power.
You'll want to keep in mind by not having mapping capabilities, it quite literally just drives around, and may clean the same room over and over. From my experience, though, running the AV751 daily kept my entire house clean. One day it may clean my kitchen and living room and the next day it may clean my laundry room and bathroom. The important thing was the Shark was able to keep up with my two dogs and cat, which is a massive task.
The Shark ION Av751 does not come with an auto-empty base, so you will manually have to dump the dirt and debris into the trash can. But, that means the charging station is significantly smaller than a lot of other robot vacs on the market. Shark is a brand name most know and trust in the cleaning industry, so you can rest assured that this budget-friendly option will be a safe one. Amazon reviewers love the price, one saying "In my opinion, this is the BEST budget vacuum at the price point."
Review: Shark ION Robot Vacuum AV751 review: Great suction for a cheap vac
What is the best robot vacuum?
The Roomba j7+ is far and away the smartest, most advanced robot vacuum on the market that I have tested. Its PrecisionVision navigation ensures that it's cleaning the rooms you want cleaned and gathering an accurate map of your house. The ability to add Cleaning zones for particularly dirty areas or Keep Out zones where you may not want the robot to go is an added bonus. Pet parents everywhere can agree that the P.O.O.P. guarantee will help them sleep easier at night, knowing their home will get vacuumed without smearing through any accidents. And of course, being a Roomba device, you know that the robots are always getting new software updates so your robot vacuum is always getting smarter.
Robot vacuum | Price | Obstacle avoidance | Mapping technology | Auto-empty base | Two-in-one vacuum and mop |
Roomba j7+ | $729 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Dreame X30 Ultra | $1700 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Eufy S1 Pro | $1499 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Roomba s9+ | $1000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Shark ION AV751 | $230 | No | No | No | No |
What is the right robot vacuum for you?
After spending the last two years testing numerous robot vacuums, the one feature that separates the devices the most is how intelligent they are. Some individuals are looking for a hands-off approach, they want to set a schedule in the app and not have to worry or think about the robot for weeks at a time. Others may not be that comfortable with tech or simply want to have more control of where and when the robot is running. Both are reasonable expectations, but you'll be buying two different vacuums.
Choose this robot vacuum… | If you need… |
Roomba j7+ | A highly intelligent, AI-driven vacuum. With its ability to recognize up to 80 household objects, your home will get cleaned while your cords and shoes aren't bothered. |
Dreame X30 Ultra | The ability to vacuum every surface type in your home, while mopping hardwood/tile/laminate flooring. It's truly an all-in-one machine that will keep your home clean with the touch of a button in the app. |
Eufy S1 Pro | You want the top of the line in terms of self-cleaning technology, efficiency, and pure power (and are willing to pay for it). |
Roomba s9+ | A vacuum to tackle excessive pet hair, dirt, and debris. It's Roomba's best suctioning robot on the market. |
Shark ION AV751 | A simple robot vacuum without all of the bells and whistles. This can be a more manageable option for individuals who don't need a lot of technology in their robot vacuum. |
Factors to consider when choosing a robot vacuum:
While trying to determine the best robot vacuum, there were several factors I kept at the forefront of my testing and research that can also aid in your own search.
Floor types: Some robot vacuums are equipped to work with certain floor types, like carpet or hardwood. Others may have the ability to accommodate other floor types, like stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the types of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.
Mapping: For full automation, it is critical that your robot vacuum has a mapping feature that can navigate its way through each room. You also want to consider an obstacle avoidance feature that can avoid things like furniture, wires, and even pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home with strewn about.
Battery: A robot vacuum is hardly worth it if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot vacuum, so you can be sure that it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot vacuum that has the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor than others on this list.
Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuums offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, setting schedules, tracking progress, and controlling the machine's efforts. If you're hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, be sure to check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice.
How did I test these robot vacuums?
Here at ZDNET, I've been reviewing and putting robot vacuums through real-world tests. I don't run the devices through a lab and do simulated dirt testing, instead, I bring these robots into my home and see how they hold up in everyday, real-life situations.
Before you choose the best robot vacuum, be sure to carefully review the specs and features of each candidate, so you can be sure to choose the best robot vacuum for your home.
What is the best self-emptying robot vacuum?
The technology has come a long way since auto-emptying bases were first introduced. That being said, they all have seemingly worked out the kinks and work well. In my testing experience, I haven't had auto-empty base issues. The only thing I would keep in mind is to make sure your self-emptying base is equipped with disposable bags to capture and hold all of the dirt and debris. It makes cleaning up that much easier and ensures that once the dirt is vacuumed up, it isn't being let back out into your home. Once the bag is full, you'll simply pull it away, throw it in the trash, and put in a brand new bag.
Is it worth buying a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop?
In my testing experience, you get what you pay for with two-in-one machines. I don't like robot mops that don't use a cleaning solution. My floors are dirty enough that simply pushing around water doesn't get anything cleaned. When looking at purchasing a two-in-one machine, be sure to see what the recommended cleaning solution is. If the manufacturer only wants you to use water, I personally would steer clear.
You also want to make sure the robot comes with the AI technology that can differentiate carpet from hardwood flooring. It is not worth guarding your favorite rugs every time you use the machine to keep the robot from ruining them. Both Roomba and Roborock do an excellent job of this.
Do robot vacuums work well on carpets?
If you have a lot of carpet and rugs in your home, you're going to want to look for a robot vacuum that has a higher suction power, or Pa (Pascal Pressure Unit). The higher the Pa, the better the suction power is. For example, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra has a 5,100 Pa while the DreameBot D10 Plus has a 4,000Pa.
Other robot vacuums we've tested:
There are hundreds of robot vacuums on the market, so naturally, I couldn't include all of the top performers. Here are a few standouts that I've also tried: