The Best Robot Vacuums You Can Buy Now

Whether you have pets and need some extra help keeping your space tidy or simply want to streamline your cleaning process, a robot vacuum is a great product to add to your home-cleaning arsenal. These cordless machines run on their own, and most can even be put on a schedule and charge themselves, taking vacuuming almost entirely off your plate. There are a ton of options out there, and each comes with its own long list of features to sift through, so we narrowed down our favorites to help you find the best robot vacuum to fit for your needs.

• Best Overall: Neato D8 Robot Vacuum
• Best Budget-Friendly: eufy by Anker RoboVac 25C
• Best Wet Vacuum and Mop Combo: BISSELL Spinwave Plus Robotic Mop & Vacuum
• Best Self-Emptying: iRobot Roomba J7+
• Best for Doing It All: Yeedi Vac Station
• Best Low Maintenance: Shark IQ XL Robot Vacuum
• Best for Pet Hair and Allergies: Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum and Mop Cleaner

Robot vacuums are an increasingly essential household item. Consistent cleaning is more important than ever, but the free time we have to keep up with it seems to have dwindled over the past few decades. Not to mention, if you have pets, kids, allergies, or a large or especially dust-prone home, it’s even more important to keep your space clean and your air purified. For these reasons, robot vacuums are smart purchases, but they may even be as ubiquitous as smart phones somewhere down the line, so it behooves those able to get one now to do so in order to get used to their unique functionality. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the right robot vacuum for your needs, which is why research is so important — and why we did as much as we could for you. Here’s what to think about:

Robot vacuums have a whole suite of impressive features, but you might not need all of them. If you’re someone who has fully leaned into your smart-home system, you’ll definitely want a vacuum that is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant and WiFi-enabled, so you can control it from your phone.

On a more basic level, self-docking and self-charging models are highly recommended — they’ll automatically go back to their dock when their charge is running low and finish the job when ready. While many robot vacuums are labeled “smart,” some can still fall down stairs, bump into barriers, and create unforgivable messes. Take stock of your space and determine how smart a device you may need, especially if you have pets, multiple stories, and a variety of flooring types. Robot vacuums with smart mapping are different from those with just smart-home compatibility. Lastly, robot mops are a newer addition to the robot-cleaning family, and some high-end models can vacuum as well.

The robot vacuum model you choose will largely depend on the type of household you have. There are more options if you have a small space, but if you have a whole house to keep clean, you’ll want something heavy-duty with a large self-dispensing dustbin and longer run time. Households with pets or people with allergies will benefit from a more powerful robot vacuum that has a HEPA filter and strong suction, leaving no allergens behind.

There’s no way around it: Robot vacuums are expensive. Be wary of models that cost below $150, as they’re definitely priced so low for a reason. Quality “budget” robot vacuums are in the $200-$250 range, which certainly isn’t cheap, so you’ll want to read on to find your best option before committing. Check sites like Amazon and Walmart for deals, and plan to buy around a major sale season to score discounts on robot vacuums that are the real deal.

We tested and researched a range of robot vacuum models to find the best, judging them on the following criteria:

• Functionality: How well does it pick up dirt and debris? Does it pick up larger debris? What about fine dust? Does it filter allergens? Does it work on a range of surfaces? Does it automatically recharge? How long does a charge last?
• Durability: Does it have a warranty? Does it require any mechanical maintenance?
• Value: Is its function worth the price? Is the price low or high? What does it do that makes it more valuable than other models?

The Neato D8 wins best overall robot vacuum for its ergonomic shape and superior navigation intelligence. We’re also adding points for having a set-up process that isn’t the daunting, day-long activity it often is with other smart robot vacuums. It’s app-controlled but can be turned on manually or via Alexa smart-home devices as well. The best part, though, is that it uses LiDAR technology, “which means cool scanning and mapping abilities that self-driving cars use as opposed to cameras,” AT contributor Terri shares. “It does a much better job of both navigating and cleaning my home,” compared to other robot vacuums we’ve tested. “I don’t have to move stuff off the floor or worry about it bumping into my floor lamps and scratching my furniture. Also, my WFH setup includes a tempered glass chair mat, so that’s a major no-go zone this vacuum intelligently avoids.” What’s more, “the Neato D8 is also smart enough to notice when it’s approaching the stairs to avoid tumbling down.”

Specifications:

• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 100 minutes of run time
• 13.3″ cleaning path width
• Controllable by app and remote
• 1-year limited warranty via Neato

Who It’s Best For: Those who need a little extra help with daily maintenance; those who want a robot vacuum that can clean corners and angled spaces; those who appreciate the latest and greatest in navigation technology.

Good to Know: The Neato D8 is designed to work with even high-pile carpeting like shag rugs, rugs with fringe, and other fluffy, stringy, or otherwise inconsistent surfaces.

Several models of the eufy by Anker RoboVac are actually owned and loved by a number of our editors, and there couldn’t be a better brand option to go for, if you don’t want to spend more than $250 (or wait for sales). Not only does this eufy have WiFi connectivity and smart-home compatibility, but it’s also got the ability to move across multiple surface types and heights, schedule cleaning modes, and be controlled by remote. “I loved how easy it was to use as soon as it was fully charged for the first time,” production editor Tracey says of the RoboVac 25C. “The remote control is a great feature to redirect the vacuum when it was going in a direction I didn’t want it to go, and I preferred it much more than another robot vacuum I tested that could only be controlled by an app. The remote also made it easy to switch function modes while it was in motion.”

The RoboVac 25C is no louder than a running microwave and has a large dustbin, super slim design, and triple-filter system, making cleaning easy. Not only do we find its little back-and-forth movements and sensor-guided pivots adorable to watch, but we are also still genuinely impressed by how thorough and attentive it is when it cleans. “The vacuum brushes were larger than other robot vacuums I’ve tested,” Tracey says, “and I felt like it picked up more dirt in a shorter amount of time. It has an edge-cleaning function that was great at picking up dirt under the kitchen cabinets.” It’s all about the details.

Specifications:

• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 100 minutes of run time
• 12.8″ cleaning path width
• Automatic low-battery docking
• Controllable by app and remote
• 1-year warranty via Anker

Who It’s Best For: Those working with a tighter budget; those who need something simple for area cleaning in addition to their regular vacuum; those who need something quiet.

Good to Know: It’s designed to work with hard floors up to medium-pile carpets and rugs, so if you’ve got high-pile or shag rugs, it may not be for you.

Whether it’s because of pets, kids, or just you living how you do, wet messes happen (she writes with one hand while the other holds iced tea). Imagine a world where your cat pushes your water off the table or your friend’s new puppy has an accident and, unless you choose to, you never have to know it happened, thanks to this pick. Bissell’s SpinWave combines the brand’s trustworthy dry vacuum capabilities with those of a powerful wet mop — an independent one, at that. Of the multiple mop hybrid robot vacuums we tried, this one’s mop-cleaning power took center stage without sacrificing any of its dry vacuuming capabilities. App-controlled and hands-free, the SpinWave is designed to switch effortlessly from dry vacuum and wet mopping duties, avoiding carpets in the latter mode. Its power level and low water indicators, app tracking, and physical water level window allow you to easily keep up with the SpinWave’s progress and stay ahead of refills.

“I loved how I was able to have it running in the background while I was doing other things,” says Tracey. “It works especially well when it has wide room to move around. To switch from dry mode to wet mode, all that’s required is to swap out the dry collection bin to the container with the cleaner. I moved a bunch of furniture out of the way and watched the mop move back and forth across the tile. It was easy to see that every section of the floor had been cleaned. There were a couple areas that needed a stronger cleaning, and I was able to use another function to have the mop go in circles over it until it disappeared. I hate mopping, and it’s so nice to outsource this!”

Specifications:

• Separate dry vacuuming and wet mopping capabilities
• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 130 minutes of run time
• 11.9″ cleaning path width
• Automatic low-battery docking
• Controllable by app
• 1-year limited warranty via BISSELL

Who It’s Best For: Those with pets; those who want a powerful, smart-sensing robot mop (as well as a vacuum).

Good to Know: Not only does it function well for families with pets, but every purchase goes to supporting the Bissell Pet Foundation and its mission to help house homeless cats and dogs.

AT’s chief content officer Laura calls the self-docking and -emptying iRobot Roomba J7+ a “lazy cleaner’s dream.” While the household name brand of robot vacuums lands a bit higher on the price spectrum, it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about leveling up (or getting help with) their cleaning routine. For Laura, whose “daughter just started crawling and can find a fuzzy on even the seemingly cleanest carpet,” it was “getting hard to keep her from putting them in her mouth, and I can’t keep up with the new vacuuming pace.” The Roomba J7+ ended up being “perfect!” She says, “I can vacuum once (or even twice or three times) a day without having to spend the time on it. I was surprised how much suction this vacuum had, and how it could navigate all of the rooms in my apartment.”

With WiFi connectivity, smart mapping, and some of the most precise live-sensing we’ve seen from a robot vacuum, the Roomba J7+ is serious about relieving you from the line of cleaning duty as much as possible. “I didn’t think I needed a ‘smart’ vacuum,” Laura says, “until I tried one… it’s so fun to see how it maps my floors and figures out where to go (and where not to go). It’s a lazy cleaner’s dream — it even returns ‘home’ to its base without me doing anything.”

Specifications:

• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 85 minutes of run time
• 14.4″ cleaning path width
• Automatic low-battery docking
• Controllable by app
• Smart home compatible
• 1-year limited warranty via iRobot

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a vacuum they can set and forget; those who want something reliably self-emptying; those ready to invest in a high quality robot vacuum.

Good to Know: iRobot offers its sincerest P.O.O.P. (Pet Owners Official Promise), which vows that the J7+ will avoid pet waste messes or iRobot will replace your robot vacuum for free.

Much like the Roomba J7+, “the Yeedi Vac Station includes a Yeedi Robovac and a dock that empties the vacuum after it finishes a run,” says assistant shopping editor Britt. But what makes it the best for doing it all? “The vacuum moves in a zig-zag pattern throughout your space to clean the floor,” rather than those seemingly aimless and redundant circular patterns, “and it has the ability to vacuum and mop, which was super helpful since I have both carpet and hard flooring in my apartment.”

Yep, this Yeedi is a self-emptying wet and dry robot vacuum. “What impressed me the most, though was how close to the wall this vacuum could reach,” Britt continues. “I’ve tried other robot vacuums and the Yeedi beat most of them by far when it came to scooping up the dust along the perimeter of my kitchen, dining, and living room.” What is more, “the Vac Station is stylish and has a modern appearance that doesn’t look out of place in any room.”

Specifications:

• Separate dry vacuuming and wet mopping capabilities
• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 200 minutes of run time
• 13.8″ cleaning path width
• Automatic low-battery docking
• Controllable by app
• Smart home compatible
• 1-year warranty via Yeedi

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a robot vacuum with all the capabilities; those with pets, kids, sand, dust, leaks, and other frequent wet and dry messes.

Good to Know: “The only reason I’ve deducted one star” Britt says of her Yeedi Vac Station rating, “is that the vacuum can sometimes get stuck in an area and not finish a cleaning cycle. It wasn’t a total dealbreaker for me since I’ve seen that happen with other robot vacuums as well,” but it’s something to note if you have particularly difficult terrain in your home.

This award is for the robot vacuum with conspiracy-theory-level independence. The one that knows what it’s doing, where it’s doing it, and when. The one that feeds, cleans, and all but puts on a tie itself. When you want your robot vacuum to do the most it possibly can for you — so much so that you forget to vacuum for up to two months — you want the Shark IQ XL self-emptying robot vacuum. There are a few options out there that have automatic charge docking, self-emptying, and smart mapping capabilities, but we wanted the most trustworthy one at the best value to name it our best low-maintenance option.

The Shark IQ XL docks itself to recharge when it needs it and picks up vacuuming right where it left off. It can be programmed to self-empty while it’s there, but it’ll also head home as needed to free space and get right back to it. It’s controllable, trackable, and direct-able within the app, so you can tell your Shark exactly what you want it to do. As far as its vacuum range, it has brushes on all of its edges, allowing it to capture hard-to-reach debris from angular corners more easily. I love having this control, and that all I really have to do is find an accessible spot for the dock, plug it in, and hit the big button on the top of the vacuum. It starts learning and mapping the area right away as it cleans, and once it’s finished the job (it’ll keep going unless I tell it to stop or go home), it’ll self-empty and recharge. It’ll even clean its own brushes, so not even long hair or pet hair can stop it.

Specifications:

• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 90 minutes of run time
• 12.8″ cleaning path width
• Automatic low-battery docking
• Controllable by app
• Smart home compatible
• 1-year warranty via Shark

Who It’s Best For: Those who are out for long periods of time and want to return to a clean home; those who want to regularly maintain their vacuum as little as possible.

Good to Know: Not sure about abandoning vacuum duty for 45+ days? The Shark IQ (non-XL version) stores just up to two weeks of debris.

“I love this vacuum,” SEO editor and multiple pet-owner Sarah raves (constantly) about the Roborock S7. “Its powerful, quiet, and leaves my floors absolutely spotless.” But what about allergies caused by pets or otherwise? Generally, a robot vacuum’s constant movement stirs and captures more allergens than we may even realize are causing issues. Add the Roborock S7’s allergen-enemy HEPA filtration, the ability to tackle wet messes, and an attractive shell, and you’ve got our pick of the best robot vacuum for those with pets and/or allergies: the Roborock S7 vacuum and mop hybrid. “Rocky, as he has come to be known,” in AT contributor Shifrah’s household of four pets, “took a maiden voyage around the house and mapped out the rooms in our home. I love this feature because we can tell him to go to a certain place and either vacuum or mop or we can program him to do certain rooms at certain times. And when I say ‘tell him,’ I mean that literally. Rocky is smart home-connected, so we can direct him through our Google Home speakers.”

The Roborock S7 knows when it’s on hard floors versus carpets and seamlessly switches modes. “The mopping portion is easy to set up and maintain,” says Shifrah. This model mops at 3,000 spin cycles per minute while also using its powerful vacuum, lifting dry dust, dirt, and pet hair before it gets wet to avoid clumping or dragging it across the floor. “The floors aren’t left too wet, there’s no streaking, and, yes, it gets the floors noticeably clean.”

Specifications:

• Separate dry vacuuming and wet mopping capabilities
• Works on carpet and hard floors
• Up to 180 minutes of run time
• 13.8″ cleaning path width
• Self-emptying and charging base holds up to 8 weeks of storage
• Warranty via Roborock

Who It’s Best For: Those with multiple pets; those who need extra help mopping and vacuuming in a busy household; those who want a smart vacuum.

Good to Know: The Roborock S7’s HEPA filtration is what sets it apart from the Yeedi Vac Station and BISSELL SpinWave, making it superior for cleaning in households sensitive or susceptible to allergens.