Robot vacuum cleaners are one of the latest technological upgrades that easily upgrade our home life. Now, along with washing machines and dishwashers, robot cleaners can save us time by doing most of the floor cleaning for us.
Newer robotic vacuums have some impressive features, too. They can accept voice commands, learn detailed layouts of your home, and even empty their bins into the dock. We've chosen the best robot vacuum cleaners available for a number of different budgets.
Best robotic vacuum cleaners
iRobot Roomba s9+
The iRobot Roomba s9+ is the full package for keeping your home clean. The robot vacuum features smart mapping technology, meaning it learns the layout of your home allowing you to control when and where it cleans. The 1.3GHz processor collects 230,400 data points per second to create a detailed map of your home.
Using sensors, the s9+ can find dirt and dust on hard floors and in carpets - even in hard-to-find places. It has a specially angled corner brush to reach those deep spaces, and the rubber-treaded brushes stay in complete contact with the floor to maximise suction.
An added bonus is the stand that allows the robot to empty 30 bins of dirt and dust automatically, while using the same dock to charge itself. The s9+ is a great choice if you want to forget about cleaning for weeks at a time.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.5L
- Cleaning power: 40x suction power of previous model
- Battery life: 120 minutes
- Filtration system: 3-stage HEPA filter
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 70dB
- Special features: Automatic emptying
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
The Eufy hybrid robot vacuum has you covered for both picking up dirt and deep cleaning the floor. Thanks to the 2-in-1 hybrid design, the robot can mop while it's vacuuming for an efficient clean. The 250ml tank holds enough water to mop for up to 140 minutes. The vacuum cleaner is powered by twin turbines, each offering 2,000Pa of suction power, making it an ideal choice for pet owners.
The RoboVac X8 memorises your home, creating automatically-generated multi-floor maps. This helps it determine the most efficient cleaning route while allowing you to customise cleaning areas and no-go zones.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.6L
- Cleaning power: 2,000Pa
- Battery life: 100 minutes
- Filtration system: Dual-layer filter
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 67dB
- Special features: Mop feature
Dyson 360 Heurist
The 360 Heurist utilises Dyson's long-established vacuuming technology into a self-learning robotic vacuum. The robot boasts edge-to-edge cleaning thanks to the brush bar that runs along the full width of the device. It also claims that the 78,000rpm motor can spin small, fine pieces of dirt into the bin.
It uses smart technology to learn a map of your home and it can use eight LED lights to guide it when it's dark. The top of the robot features a handy display that shows a variety of messages, from battery charge to Wi-Fi status. Another helpful feature is the tank tracks on the bottom of the robot, making sure that no wheels get stuck on obstacles on the floor.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.7L
- Cleaning power: 20% more suction power than previous model
- Battery life: 75 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 73dB
- Special features: Powerful suction
iRobot Roomba i7+
Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, the Roomba i7+ can be controlled with your voice. Tell it to clean a certain room or follow a specific route that can be set via the iRobot HOME App. The app allows you to give your robot instructions from wherever you are.
Using dual multi-surface rubber brushes, the robot hugs the floor to maximise how much dirt and hair it can pick up. Plus, the high-efficiency filter claims to capture 99 per cent of mould, pollen, dust mites and pet allergens to help keep your home allergen-free.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.5L
- Cleaning power: 10x suction power of Roomba 600 series
- Battery life: 75 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 68dB
- Special features: Automatic emptying
Ecovacs DEEBOT U2
A perfect choice if you're on a budget, the ECOVACS robot vacuum has a lot of the features of premium-range models at a more affordable price. It works on hard floor and carpet, has drop-detect sensors and automatically self-charges.
Using the ECOVACS app, or Google Home or Alexa, you can customise how the robot cleans and set up personal preferences. The sensors are able to detect and adapt to different floor types and develop a multi-floor map of your home.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.4L
- Cleaning power: 800Pa
- Battery life: 110 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 65dB
- Special features: Self-charging
Roborock S6 MaxV
The S6 MaxV is Roborock's top of the line choice. It boasts a reactive AI system that uses two cameras to detect objects in real time. And with 2,400Pa suction power and a mopping feature (microfibre cloth attached to a water tank), the device is adaptable and prepared for deep cleaning.
The app gives you the ability to set different cleaning modes for different floors which is handy for avoiding wet carpets or un-mopped hard floors. It also has a pet mode available that can maximise suction to pick up hair while keeping the cameras on high alert for any pet accidents.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.46L dustbin 180ml water tank
- Cleaning power: 2,400Pa
- Battery life: 180 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: App, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Noise level: 67dB
- Special features: Cameras, mop feature
Eufy RoboVac 11S MAX
- Buy now from Eufy (£239.99).
The RoboVac 11S MAX is another strong choice from Eufy's line of affordable robot vacuums. At 2.85 inches (7.2cm) tall, this model has a slim design that can glide under furniture. It uses a brushless motor to reduce noise, making this a great option if you're looking for a quiet cleaner.
It's a smart device too, with a variety of different cleaning modes and 10 infrared sensors to detect its surroundings in your home.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.6L
- Cleaning power: 2,000Pa
- Battery life: 100 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: Remote control (no app or voice control)
- Noise level: 55dB
- Special features: Self-charging
iRobot Roomba j7
Using a 3-stage cleaning system, the Roomba j7 utilises power suction, an edge-sweeping brush and dual multi-surface rubber brushes to cover as much ground as it can.
The j7 also features a smart, intuitive system that can create personalised cleaning schedules and suggest extra cleans when pollen or pet hair make things a bit messier. It learns your home's layout allowing you to give voice commands like 'vacuum the crumbs under the table'. Plus, the robot can identify and avoid obstacles in real time.
Key specs
- Capacity: 0.4L
- Cleaning power: 10x suction power of Roomba 600 series
- Battery life: 75 minutes
- Filtration system: HEPA
- Connectivity: Remote control (no app or voice control)
- Noise level: 68dB
- Special features: Specific voice commands
Are robot vacuum cleaners worth it?
Robot vacuums are popular for easy and efficient floor cleaning, but their worth depends on several factors. They offer convenient autonomous cleaning with time-saving programming and smartphone control. They reach tight spaces and adjust settings with smart technology. However, they can be expensive, have small dustbins, and lack power for deep cleaning or larger debris. Ultimately, their suitability depends on personal needs and preferences. They're ideal for small or medium-sized homes with hard floors, but traditional vacuums may be better for larger homes or deep cleaning tasks.
Robotic vacuums have become a popular choice for households looking to reduce the time and effort spent on cleaning floors. Each of the vacuums we have highlighted in our list have unique features that cater to different cleaning needs and preferences. We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the world of robotic vacuums and helps you make an informed decision when purchasing one for your home.
Looking for more gadgets to help around the home? Check out our roundup of the best kitchen gadgets to elevate your culinary experience!