• A high-quality robot vacuum should be easy to schedule, pick up debris from a variety of surfaces, and run quietly while going about its work.
  • The robot vacuums in our guide performed well in our tests, have useful features that go beyond regular vacuuming, and are designed to make cleaning your floors as easy as possible.
  • The Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum is our top pick because it has unparalleled suction, accurately maps your home so you can set boundaries for where you want it to clean, and automatically adjusts its suction to accommodate carpet, hardwood, and more.
  • Read more: The best vacuums you can buy and The best robot vacuum deals happening now

Few find joy in vacuuming – I know I don’t. But if it’s not done often, dirt and dust can accumulate and allergens can get out of hand. Fortunately, robot vacuums can help make the chore a lot easier, which has improved my quality of life immensely.

After testing more than a dozen robotic vacuums in just the last year and researching upwards of 20, we’ve picked the Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum as the best robot vacuum for its powerful suction, accurate mapping, and smart adjusting function that accommodates different types of flooring and carpeting.

There are several tests I put each unit through, and for models that I have personally not tested, I extrapolate the key performance indicators based on our team’s reviews as well as the testing results from trustworthy sites. You can check out our full testing methodology over here.

Here are the best robot vacuums:

Prices and links are current as of 8/25/2020. We are currently testing additional robot vacuums for a larger update to our guide.

The best overall

The Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum has the best suction of any robotic vacuum we’ve tested, features zoned cleaning, and runs quietly.

The best robot vacuum for most people at the moment is the Roborock S6, overtaking our previous favorite, the iRobot Roomba 690. I’ve tested the S5, E35, S6, and S4, and the suction of these units is consistently better than any other brands on both hardwood and carpeting. I’m surprised Roborock’s offerings aren’t included in more guides to the best robotic vacuums.

I chose to give the S6 the top spot because it is Roborock's top-of-the-line model and has all of the features you'd find in more expensive robots, including zoned cleaning, smart connectivity, scheduling, 2,000-Pa suction, and mopping.

Pa is Pascal Pressure Unit, and according to Roborock, the higher the number, the more powerful the suction. Not all manufacturers list this measurement: iRobot told me the spec is not ideal for comparing robot vacuums because the measurement is recorded inconsistently. Although we mention it here and note the Roborock S6's terrific suction power, we did not use the number to determine our pick over another.

Though other expert sites dock Roborock because of the awkward app, I was still impressed with the app's functionality after I got the hang of it, which only took a few minutes of playing around. The biggest negative to me is the 3.8-inch height, which makes it hard for the vacuum to fit under low-clearance furniture. You can read my full review of the S6 here.

Pros: Outstanding suction, accurate mapping and zoned cleaning, carpet boost, runs quietly, smart home connectivity

Cons: Confusing app, larger than other models

Read our full review of the Roborock S6

The best budget

Foto: Source: Eufy

If you are looking for a budget-friendly workhorse and don't need high-end features, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is your best bet.

For its low price tag, the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S is an outstanding performer with a strong 1,300 Pa of suction and sleek 2.85-inch height that allows it to get into and out of places that most robotic vacuums can't.

It comes with remote control (batteries included), extra filters, extra side brushes, cable ties, and a 12-month warranty. What it doesn't come with are smart features like zoned cleaning or Wi-Fi and Alexa compatibility, but if you're looking for a no-frills vac, this is it.

Insider Reviews freelance reporter Steven John recommends the 11S as a great starter model for people who have considered a robotic vacuum but are concerned about the cost. It quickly became one of the most useful gadgets in his house due to its efficiency, power, and low-profile design. Its nimble, persistent navigation system means the unit rarely needs attention, and the low 55-decibel operation is comparable to a microwave so it won't be a disturbance either. You can read our full review here.

Pros: Slim design fits under low furniture, affordable, cleans quietly, does an excellent job on hardwood floors

Cons: Lacks high-end options like zoned cleaning and smart connectivity, doesn't perform as well on carpeting

Read our full review of the Eufy RoboVac 11S

The best high-end

Foto: Source: Roomba

The iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum is as automated as it gets with automatic dirt disposal and the ability to schedule cleaning sessions of specific rooms.

One of the more annoying maintenance tasks of a robot vacuum is emptying the dustbin after each cleaning. Before the iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum was introduced in the fall of 2018, you had to do it manually. But with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, the i7+ transfers its collection to a container in its dock and owners can go up to two months before the disposable bag fills up and needs to be replaced.

The i7+ is operated using an intuitive app that iRobot is always improving, so you can essentially set your Roomba and forget it. This is the best robotic vacuum I've ever used, but it didn't make our top spot because the price point is a bit much. It's come down in the two years since it was introduced, but it's still an expensive unit that cleans incrementally better than our top pick. If your budget allows, you should absolutely consider this on your shortlist. You can read my full review of the i7+ here.

We're currently testing the newer Roomba S9+, which also boasts automatic disposal. That model has 40 times the suction power of the i7+ and "PerfectEdge Technology" that lets it get into hard-to-reach corners and edges. However, it's about $300 more than the i7+. We hope to publish a comparison between the two soon.

Pros: Automatic dirt disposal, zoned cleaning and scheduling, remembers multiple floor plans, avoids areas you want it to avoid

Cons: Expensive, zoned cleaning has questionable accuracy

Read our full review of the iRobot Roomba i7+

The best for getting into corners

Foto: Source: Samsung

The Samsung Powerbot R7040 Robot Vacuum has a flat front-edge design that allows it to get deep into corners to destroy your dust bunny burrows.

Despite its mid-range price, the Samsung Powerbot R7040 has many high-end features, including Wi-Fi and smart home connectivity. The flat-front design makes it easy for it to get into corners.

The R7040 uses Samsung's patented FullView Sensor 2.0 and Visionary Mapping Plus, which helps the vacuum avoid obstacles and create an ideal cleaning path. It also comes with remote control and a one-year warranty.

We haven't personally tested this robot vacuum yet, but Consumer Reports recommends the Powerbot R7040 because it did an impressive job in the review site's edge, bare floor, and carpet cleaning tests. It also found the vacuum was gentle with the test furniture, picked up most debris on the first pass, and easily cleaned corners. The only negative mentioned is that the pet hair needed to be cleaned from the brush manually.

Pros: Wi-Fi connectivity, works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, flat front edge design allows it to get into corners

Cons: Pet hair gets stuck on the brush, complaints about the app, short battery runtime

The best D-shaped robot vacuum

Foto: Source: Neato

The D-shaped Neato Robotics Botvac D7 Connected Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is packed full of high-end features, including extra ultra-performance filters, two-hour runtime, and zone cleaning.

Neato Robotics is unique because it was the first company to make D-shaped vacuums. And, though other manufacturers have started to follow its lead (see Samsung's models and the Roomba s9+), Neato Robotics continues to innovate; the company's top-of-the-line Botvac D7 Connected Robotic Vacuum Cleaner illustrates that.

In my tests, the D7 Connected was easy to program, though I did have trouble keeping it connected to the Wi-Fi at times. The suction was excellent when picking up flour, coffee grounds, kitty litter, and pet hair.

I was also impressed with how quiet it ran: 66 decibels. Plus, it was fun to tell my smart thermostat to have the vacuum start cleaning - thanks, Alexa. You can read my full review here.

Pros: D-shape allows it to clean corners and edges well, elegant app design, zoned cleaning, works with Alexa

Cons: Slow connectivity with the app

Read our review of the Neato Robotics Botvac D7

What else we've tested

Foto: Source: Simon Hill/Business Insider

We've tested and researched many robot vacuum brands and models while writing this guide. The following six vacuums barely missed the cut:

  • iRobot Roomba 960: The Roomba 960 was among our top recommendations before we updated our guide. It's able to clean large areas without getting caught up on obstacles and debris. The 960 features iRobot's outstanding app with smart controls and maps of where the robot is cleaning. It also has powerful suction and is great with pet hair. However, at its price point, other models have simply surpassed its features.
  • iRobot Roomba 614: The Roomba 614 is similar to the more popular but increasingly harder to find Roomba 690, our previous overall favorite. The big differences are that the 614 is typically cheaper and doesn't have Wi-Fi connectivity or scheduling. However, it still has excellent cleaning abilities on hardwood and carpeting. So, if you're looking for an affordable Roomba and can do without smart features, you might consider the 614.
  • Ecovacs Deebot N79S: The Deebot N79S is a favorite among many owners of robot vacuums. This model provides an outstanding balance of value and high-end features. It comes with a simple remote, or you can control and schedule your unit using the intuitive app. You can also offer vocal commands using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Read our full review here.
  • Neato Botvac D4 Connected: This is Neato Robotics' midrange option. Like the D7 that we recommend, it features a D-shaped design that works great for cleaning along edges and in corners. It's supported by a terrific app that allows you to clean specific zones in your home and set no-go areas. Though it's cheaper than the D7, it doesn't have as good of a filter, lacks a side brush, and has a much shorter battery runtime.
  • ILIFE V8s: The V8s was my first-ever robot vacuum, and it does an outstanding job of mopping and vacuuming at its price point. The cost of this model appears to keep going up. At one point, it was below $200, and if you can find it for that price, I strongly recommend picking it up. I was impressed with how well it does with pet hair, and I like how simple it is to use. You can read my full review here.
  • Trifo Max: We loved the power and efficiency of this underrated vacuum, plus it's not too expensive. Unfortunately, we were unable to properly test one of its coolest features - a built-in security camera - because of the inability to connect to Wi-Fi. The rest of the features are still great, but the vacuum clearly isn't perfect. Read our full review here.

What else we're testing

Foto: Source: Amazon

We're constantly testing new vacuums. Below are a few models we are currently testing or will be soon:

  • iRobot Roomba s9+: I'm currently testing the s9+, which is designed to address consumer concerns regarding our high-end pick, the Roomba i7+. The upgrades include four times the suction power, a D-shaped design to get along edges and into corners, and a seal between the vacuum and the Clean Base that keeps allergens out of the air. So far, I'm impressed with this unit, though the price is high.
  • Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 920 and 950: I also currently have these vacuums set up in my home for testing. The Ozmo 920 and 950 are quite similar - smart navigation for zoned cleaning and setting boundaries, smart home compatibility, recharge and resume, and mopping with carpet detection. But the 950 offers you a battery runtime that is nearly twice as long, and it has a third suction level, Max Plus, that outperforms the 920's best.
  • Roborock S4: I'm wrapping up testing of the S4, it's a worthwhile alternative to our top pick, the S6, and it's also cheaper. The S4 appears to have the same suction strength and smart capabilities as the S6. However, it can't mop and its battery runtime isn't as long. Still, if vacuum cleaning abilities on carpeting and wood floors are your top concerns, then you may want to skip the S6 and try the S4.
  • Shark IQ: I'm excited about testing this model because it's the first non-Roomba to features a self-emptying base. Plus, it's half the price of the i7+ so the Shark IQ has the potential for high-end features at a more affordable price.

How we test robot vacuums

Foto:

Here are the main criteria we look for in robot vacs and how we test them:

Completes cleaning cycle: I can't stand having to hunt down my robot because it got stuck on cords, toys, low-clearance furniture, or other obstacles during its cleaning cycle. So, as the vacuum goes about its work each day, I track the percentage of time it completes the job and returns to its dock without help.

Loudness: For this, I grab my decibel meter and hold it approximately 12 inches away from the vacuum as it runs on its most and least powerful modes. Most models run at under 70 decibels on high, while quieter models at 60 decibels or lower.

Dimensions: One of the great features of a robovac is that it can clean under beds and other furniture that you may have trouble reaching with an upright vacuum. In general, a thinner robot vacuum is more likely to squeeze under your low-clearance furniture without getting stuck.

Maintenance: Robotic vacuums require regular upkeep. For instance, the dustbin needs to be emptied after each cleaning. Every week or two, you should clean the filter. And, every couple of months, you will need to replace filters and brushes. I look at how easy it is to clean different parts of the robot and how easy and affordable it is to buy replacement parts.

Smart features: Wi-Fi connectivity and an app are now common to most new units. I like to play around with the app and pick out the most useful features. Some popular features you might want are scheduled cleaning sessions, zoned cleaning with no-go boundaries, joystick control of where the vacuum cleans, maps that show you where the vacuum is if it gets stuck, and more. I also test to see how well the unit runs without using the app since sometimes you may not have access to your phone.

Carpet cleaning: First, I pour a tablespoon each of flour, coffee grounds, and kitty litter on separate 18-inch-square sections of low-profile carpeting and take a picture of my mess. Then, I have the vacuum run on its most powerful mode until it needs to be recharged. Lastly, I compare the area where my mess was to the before picture and estimate the percentage of debris that the robot picked up.

Hardwood cleaning: This process is the same as the carpet cleaning testing, only on hardwood flooring.

Corner cleaning: You don't want an inch of dust bordering your rooms. You want a vacuum that's going to clean your place from wall to wall. That's why I test corner cleaning. I dust a teaspoon of flour - a notoriously difficult substance for robovacs - in the corner of carpeted and hardwood rooms. I take a picture of the mess. Then, I let the robot work its magic. Once it's done, I look at how close to the corner the vacuum was able to get.

Along with hands-on testing dozens of robot vacuums, we looked at the reviews and ratings of the top models from hundreds of owners and experts as we researched this guide. Our guide features vacuums that performed well in our tests, have useful features that justify their price, and are designed to make cleaning your floors as seamless as possible.

Check out our guides to more great vacuum cleaners

Foto: Source: Connie Chen/Business Insider

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