Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Based on 1,755 reviews
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Price
$100 to $4,000
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Hobot Legee

Hobot Legee 🏆 2026

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $845 to $2,200
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 120 to 240 min
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MaxineQLD6 posts
 

The contact number for this company is disconnected. I should have researched the reviews on the D8 before I made the purchase, it seems anybody that… Read more

has had a problem with their Legee D8 vacuum has had no satisfaction with their customer service and been left with a lemon they can not get fixed.

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

3.8 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $149 to $499
  • Bin Capacity0.6 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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tamNSW19 posts
  Verified

Worst company to deal with under warranty. Refuse warranty for reasons they technically made up. The machine with mop is extremely faulty. Just… Read more

google the complaints from 100s of people all around the world. Facebook, redit ect hundreds of the exact same complaint. Then after your machine leaks on day one, they exchange it for another faulty unit then exchange it for another faulty unit. To then blame you when that one is also faulty. Because the company is in receivership and going broke because their product is so faulty. The mops leak from day 1, they send out seals to help that leak after a few months, then apparently its our fault and deny warranty so they can save money.

They know their product is faulty, hence the seal kit that needs replacing over and over again.

Do not buy this product or anything from this company.

Roborock Q7 Max

Roborock Q7 Max

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $999
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Hollie W12 posts
 

I’m extremely disappointed with Roborock’s customer service. After they wrote to me confirming that they would replace my damaged unit with a brand… Read more

new one within two weeks, they completely backtracked and failed to honor their word. It takes weeks to get a simple reply, and they’ve had my damaged Roborock for over four months now without any immediate action. Their replies are obviously AI-generated, extremely repetitive, and unhelpful. Their communication is misleading, and they do not stand by their promises. I expected far better integrity from a company like this. I would not trust them again

Roborock
Roborock    

Hi , we are deeply sorry for the unacceptable issues and… Read more (+1 reply)

Roborock Qrevo EdgeC

Roborock Qrevo EdgeC

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,199
  • Bin Capacity2.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 180 min
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Gabriel IonescuQLD
  Verified

It does a really good job and quite smart. I like it a lot, just I would have given 5 stars if it had at least voice activation or assistant in it. Using Alexa for that is not quite there as we never manage to learn the specific voice prompts. Show details

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

4.4 
Summary
IreneQLD3 posts
  Verified

This thing has basically changed my life. We didn't know what we were missing out on with a vacuum only model before; having it vac+mop every other… Read more

day (tiles and hardwood flooring, 2 cats) has been a major step up. The floors are literally always clean, even after we've been away.

The auto mop washing is awesome. Filling/emptying the tanks rolls around more often than I expected but I don't actually mind as it just reminds me how much cleaning it's done; I do suggest putting the dock somewhere near a bathroom so it's easy to top up and empty.

The vacuum + mop works better than expected, I kind of thought I'd have to vacuum *then* mop but it works well as one mode. Super happy with this purchase.

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,999
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jarrod2 posts
  Verified

So far so good, you wouldn't know that it had been refurbished. Has worked really well so far and with regular cleaning out it seems to be going… Read more

well. It has got stuck a couple of times but that was more of a me issue making sure cables are kept off the ground. Really happy with the performance especially the mop.

Roborock Qrevo Edge

Roborock Qrevo Edge

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,799
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Gaurav NWA2 posts
  Verified

Poor customer service. Ordered on 10th May but still not received. Unprofessional customer support. Will never recommend anyone to buy roborock. Show details

roborockstore.com.au
roborockstore.com.au    

Hi thank you for your feedback. To assist further and check your… Read more

Roborock Q Revo

Roborock Q Revo

4.1 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,999
  • Bin Capacity2.7 L
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Cameron D.VIC
  Verified

Product arrived faulty with cliff sensors not functioning. Contacted support and they didn’t really offer help or solutions so had to return it. Was looking forward to it and reducing work cleaning but really didn’t live up to expectations. Show details

Roborock
Roborock    

Thank you for your message – and I'm truly sorry to hear… Read more

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

4.6 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $999
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 285 min
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DhillonVIC3 posts
  Verified

Extremely disappointed with the poor quality product and terrible customer service from Dreame Robo Vacuum. The customer care number never connects,… Read more

and there is no proper support available. I have been forced to follow up through emails only and so far I have sent more than 30 emails regarding the same issue.

I even sent the Dreame Robo Vacuum back to the company for repair months ago, but there has still been no proper resolution or update. Every time I follow up, I receive a completely different response from a different team member, with no consistency, accountability, or actual help provided.

No one from the company has even bothered to call and discuss the issue properly. This has been one of the most frustrating after-sales service experiences I have ever dealt with.

Ticket Number: Ticket#OLVQGGXAP9X — and still waiting for a solution after months.

I would strongly recommend others to think twice before purchasing from Dreame unless they are prepared to deal with extremely poor customer service and endless follow-ups.

Dreame Technology
Dreame Technology    

Hi Dhillon, We understand the concern… Read more

Roborock Saros 10

Roborock Saros 10

4.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,999
  • Bin Capacity2.7 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 220 min
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Amber E G.2 posts
 

Easy set up, mop works a treat. So many things to be happy with BUT it cannot move between tiles and carpet!! The only reason I bought this machine… Read more

was for this purpose. I love my iRobot Roomba immensely, but it doesn’t mop and my girlfriend recommended this brand - even though she has the issue I am facing on an older model. We agreed that surely it would be better by now … nope.

Roborock
Roborock    

Dear Customer, first of all, we sincerely apologize for… Read more

Roborock Saros 10R

Roborock Saros 10R

3.9 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,899
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Martina P.
 

Super disappointed. It’s probably ok if you don’t have pets but with pet hair it’s a pain. Due to the small dust bin it constantly clogs up and so… Read more

does the air filter even when having it empty as often as possible by settings. I find myself having to help it out nearly daily by either manually emptying the dustbin and/or cleaning the filter. I can see how it would probably do a good enough job without pets but for this price I expect more. I wish I hadn’t upgraded from the S7 as I basically have to do just as much manual work as with the old one. Roborock support has been an absolute pain as technically there is no fault and it’s just a nasty product.

Replaced by Ecovacs Deebot Neo 2.0 3.5 
Ecovacs Deebot Neo

Ecovacs Deebot Neo

3.6 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $799
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LeeannVIC2 posts
 

Ecovacs Customer Service – Can’t work with 5G, no info on any printed or published info about this when buying. Just says works off wifi. After troubleshooting failed,I emailed… Read more

customer service who wasted another week fluffing around telling me to check if I’ve plugged it in & turned it on, you all know the score with the runaround! I finally got a phone number & rang. First question was do you have 5G? Yes I said. I am then informed that it won’t work on the 5G network. Told me to contact service provider to change my service to a mix of 5G & a 2.4G. Are they joking?? We don’t even have 3G anymore. I have no idea if this machine is good or bad as I cannot get it to function. It needs wifi to be shown its route it will take after the initial use. This revue is for the company and there handling of my problem. I can’t have a refund because it is not a quality issue.

Roborock Qrevo Curv

Roborock Qrevo Curv

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,799
  • HEPA FilterNo
Simranjit S.4 posts
 

Customer service and product reliability is below zero. My new qrevo curv stopped heating water after first few rounds and once sent for repair, the… Read more

customer service is disgusting. It's been more than 2 months now and still no estimated repair date. Apparently they don't have their heating part in stock and no temporary replacement is provided until God knows for how long. Maybe that's their strategy to outdate the warranty period and poor after sales service.

Roborock
Roborock    

Hi thank you for your feedback. To assist further and… Read more

Roborock Qrevo C

Roborock Qrevo C

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,699
  • Bin Capacity2.7 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
Jenny9371VIC40 posts
  Verified

Writing this review on Roborock as a company given my model is now unavailable. The reviews on performance are correct, this is a good vacuum,… Read more

HOWEVER! My machine is 3.5 years old, I’ve been trying to order basic filters and brushes as recommended on the app when due for replacement and can’t get them anymore! After months or trying through both Kogan and Roborock directly, I’m told they no longer have parts for my vacuum because it’s such an old model! My machine is fine other than requiring basic maintenance parts, but apparently no useless as they don’t carry parts for a reasonable timeframe as required by basic consumer law rendering my machine useless! Buyer beware! My next robot vacuum will definitely NOT be Roborock as I can’t afford to replace every 3 years which appears to be what they expect you to do. So disappointed with them after being quite satisfied till now with the vacuum itself.

Roborock Q5 Pro

Roborock Q5 Pro

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $699
  • Bin Capacity0.77 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 240 min
Angie G.
  Verified

We replaced our cheap Xiaomi Mi vacuum once it finally gave up after many years and never skipping a beat, with the Roborock q5 pro, after reading… Read more

many hours of reviews. Big mistake. This vacuum has rarely worked properly for us. It has only emptied fully, a handful of times in the time we have owned it. The remaining times it is blocked or simply doesn’t empty for one reason or another. Now we have a lidar/turret error (second time!) which won’t go away, and we can’t fix, so once again it is not working. Don’t believe the reviews. This is absolute rubbish. I feel ripped off and angry at myself for believing the hype. I expected better from Roborock at this price, given its almost 3x what we paid for our previous robot vacuum.

Roborock
Roborock    

Dear Customer, First of all, we sincerely apologize for… Read more

Roborock Q8 Max+ Plus

Roborock Q8 Max+ Plus

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,299
  • Bin Capacity2.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 240 min
Yuba Raj Panta2 posts
 

Worst Customer Service Experience I've Ever Had I had the absolute worst customer service experience with this company. My robot was held for five… Read more

months due to their incompetence and poor communication. The initial repair process was a nightmare: • They took three months just to send the AusPost label for the assessment. • I was initially told the repair was covered under warranty, only to be told later that it was not. • They erroneously claimed my warranty period had finished and quoted a repair cost of around $600. This was demonstrably their fault on paper. To top it all off, I had to pay the delivery cost myself just to get the unrepaired robot back. The only silver lining is that I had an extended warranty through Harvey Norman, and I luckily got a full refund from them. I strongly advise against dealing with this company based on their incredibly poor service, lack of accountability, and deceptive communication.

Roborock
Roborock    

Hi Yuba, we’re sincerely sorry to hear about your… Read more

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni

4.0 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.26 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 255 min
Lornagolf13 posts
  Verified

Combined mop and vacuum is a great feature but i havent been as happy with the performance of this produce compared to my IRobot i7 and Bravaa Jet… Read more

M6. I upgraded as i wanted a machine that was combined and could cross carpet to clean tiled areas and this it does. The mopping doesn’t seem to be as good and i am noticing areas along walls that dont seem to be getting mopped. Also in the corners there are marks on the floor where the mops are spinning leaving round marks . The vacuum is supposed to recognize and avoid objects including electrical cords. This hasn’t been my experience. I am finding it has tried to eat socks and leads and then the cleaning is aborted. The app is clunky and difficult to navigate. I do love that i don’t have to clean and replace the mops each time a job is done and the drying feature odd also good. No more smelly mops. I am glaf i didn’t pay full price i got this for half price. Would I buy again- probably not

Lornagolf
Lornagolf   

I received a full refund on the purchase price of this product as I was very disappointed with my experience. I have gone back to iRobot and love it

Roborock Qrevo L

Roborock Qrevo L

5.0 
Summary
$1,499RRP
DMVIC3 posts
  Verified

Brilliant product, so much more reliable than some of the competitors. Have owned it for one year and haven't had any issues! Show details

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

2.9 
Summary
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 180 min
Valerie
  Fair Incentive

Been using this model for almost 3 years! super happy with it, easy to navigate and program. Just today I am buying some replacement as mop and… Read more

filter that of course they need to be replace for so much used in my entire house. I got 2 dogs and 2 cats, and no dirt on my floors!!

Lefant M1

Lefant M1

4.4 
Summary
Lori H.QLD
 

Love it. Used to have an iRobot but love this more. Show details

Lubluelu SL60D

Lubluelu SL60D

4.1 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $399.99
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 120 min
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Colleen MilesQLD3 posts
 

I must admit this seemed good for the money when I bought it but quickly disappointed. It kept dropping the WiFi network and was a pain to get back on. Have since upgraded to something different, and yes more expensive, but well worth it. Show details

MyGenie ZX1000

MyGenie ZX1000

2.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $599
  • Bin Capacity0.9 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 90 min
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rob
  Verified

I purchased the MyGenie two years ago from Harris Scarfe. While it was still under warranty, they redirected me to the manufacturer when, after… Read more

roughly eight months, the vacuum started running in circles. After a lot of emails and fault-finding efforts, I eventually received a replacement unit at no cost, which I appreciated.

Unfortunately, about six months later, the same issue occurred. This time, I couldn't get a replacement since the warranty had expired. Additionally, the battery runtime is quite short, and it often gets stuck in areas where my other robot vacuum doesn't (yes, I have two—clean freak here!).

Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller

Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller

3.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,999
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
Not Happy JanQLD3 posts
  Verified

Nothing but issues with software. The roller scratched our newly laid timber floors so we now have track marks and turning circles along our entire… Read more

120m2 flooring. Customer service is poor and IF they reply you discover they only provide a replacement warranty for 30 days so if you spend time troubleshooting you conveniently waste time and go past the 30 days. It absolutely does not like thick pile carpet, rugs or rugs that are near to walls as it will continually get stuck between the rug and the wall and then sit idle all day bc it does not know how to reverse (you can’t reverse it manually with the remote bc it’s a safety issue apparently).

Dreame Technology
Dreame Technology    

Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to… Read more

Roborock Qrevo Master

Roborock Qrevo Master

4.5 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,699
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 180 min
ZedVIC15 posts
 

⚠️ these robots are not too bad in terms of cleaning, however when they break down, it’s an absolute nightmare! ROBOROCK customer service is one of… Read more

the worst. They are incompetent and I would rate their communication 0/10 ROBOROCK requests the broken goods to be posted to them. They will not notify you at any stage, so you will be in the dark during the repair process. You won’t even know if they have received the goods! After a few weeks, when your robot is returned, you will find that the exact same problem still persists. The repair was an absolute waste of time. The second time around, they can’t even manage to send the right Aus post repair labels. It has been 2 weeks and I am still waiting for them to send me the correct post return labels And don’t even think about asking for a refund, oh my god

Roborock
Roborock    

Thank you for sharing your experience — and I am truly… Read more (+3 replies)

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

3.5 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,499
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jess11 posts
 

Pretends it’s vacuuming (and makes a lot of noise while doing so) but leaves behind a heap of pet hair and crumbs. The mopping is terrible. It leaves… Read more

filth all over my tiles and drops spots of water everywhere, all over my floor boards and tiles, and sometimes little puddles. The floor cleaner doesn’t seem to have a scent, so my house smells like a wet dog after it’s been mopped. It’s nice that it empties itself and refills its tank but the whole point of having it is for it to do a proper job of vacuuming and mopping. I’ve gone back to using my old Roborock instead.

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Series

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Series

4.5 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,699 to $2,999
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 254 min
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BrettNSW10 posts
  Verified

I want to like this vacuum, but in the first day I've noticed two issues – one show-stopper, and one just annoying. 1. It struggles with pet hair.… Read more

It picks it up relatively well, but when it goes to empty the dust bin into the main station, the main dust bin clogs at the top with pet hair. I've run it multiple times now, it clogs every time. The only thing that seemed to help once was forgetting to put the filter back in the top of the dust bin in the station. It seems that the filter significantly reduces the suction power in the station, which is part of the reason why the hair isn't being properly sucked down to the bottom of the main dust bin. Looks to be a design flaw. Have logged a case with Ecovacs but I suspect this will be getting returned. 2. The mapping interface in the app needs work. When you try and zoom in and make changes, half the time it thinks you're trying to rotate the map. Then when you try and rotate it back, it thinks you want to zoom. They need to fix the multi-touch handling.

Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus

Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus

3.0 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity2.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 200 min
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AlexQLD3 posts
  Verified

Bought a Deebot T8+ unit, which worked great for two years then died. I wanted to stay in the same eco system since i already had consumables to use… Read more

up, so bought a deebot N10 online through the ecovacs app. Unfortunately the N10 is dying under two years this time, poor suction, lost cant find homebase, maps get skewed, doesnt complete a clean. Sometimes comes out and after 10 mins returns to dock without completing. Replaced, cleaned and maintained consumables on regular basis, but still its no fix.

Ecovacs
Ecovacs    

Hi Alex, We are sorry to hear this has been your… Read more

Ecovacs Deebot T90 Pro Omni

Ecovacs Deebot T90 Pro Omni

5.0 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.25 L
  • Running Time 120 min
$1,585Bing Lee
RachBryNSW2 posts
  Fair Incentive

As a busy mum of 3 with 2 dogs, the Deebot T90 PRO Omni has been a lifesaver. The vacuum picks up all the crumbs and pet hair easily, but the… Read more

standout is definitely the mopping, it cleans properly, not just a quick wipe plus it vacuums while it mops. The self-cleaning feature is a game changer too. I don’t have time to maintain it constantly, so it basically runs itself. Perfect for busy households!

Ecovacs Deebot T80 Omni

Ecovacs Deebot T80 Omni

5.0 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity3 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 223 min
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Ingrid Engevik4 posts
  Fair Incentive

This product was provided to me free of charge for review by the brand. All thoughts and opinions are my own and reflect my genuine experience of the… Read more

product in my home. We had a robot vacuum from a different brand for a long time, and we had some many issues with it. It wouldn’t charge properly, the dust bin would get full and we forgot to empty it, the hair would tangle around the wheels, it would eat socks half way into the cleaning and then stop because they were stuck and so much more. This DEEBOT T80S OMNI vacuum and mop is INSANE. Hair doesn’t tangle, it goes around obstacles instead of eating them, it self cleans the mop and empties the dust bin (crazy good) and it has been an absolute game changer in our house. It is also so amazing that you can control everything from your phone, so if you have visitors coming over and you’re not home you can just quickly go on the app and make it start mopping and vacuuming your house. Highly recommend!

Roborock Q7 Max+

Roborock Q7 Max+

3.8 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,399
  • Bin Capacity0.47 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 180 min
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KezBNSW8 posts
  Verified

Perfect – Superb. Quiet. Good battery life and custom zone and room setup is sp handy

A black robot vacuum cleaning a hardwood floor

Are robot vacuums really worth it?

While robot vacuums can be expensive, the benefits can far outweigh the initial cost.

On hardwood and tile floors, as well as regular carpets, robot vacuums can work as well as a standard stick or barrel vacuum. They have powerful suction and clean open areas effectively. The biggest benefit? You won't have to lift a finger.

Reviews showed that the #1 reason Australians bought a robot vacuum cleaner was convenience. A good robot vacuum rewarded reviewers with clean floors, which made their lives easier by eliminating a daily chore. Pet owners in particular liked that they saved a considerable amount of time they would normally spend picking up dog and cat hair.

Consider buying a robot vacuum cleaner if you:

  • Love having clean floors, without having to do the physical labour.
  • Work throughout the week and don't want to vacuum when you get home at night.
  • Have pets and have to vacuum more often to pick up animal fur.
  • Your house or apartment has even floors, as a robot vacuum can cover your entire home without supervision.
  • Your family brings dirt and dust into the house, and you want an easy way to clean it up.

Can a robot vacuum cleaner replace my normal vacuum cleaner?

Unfortunately, you won't be able to throw away your existing vacuum after buying a robot vacuum cleaner. Robot vacuum cleaners are handy, but some tasks are better left to a traditional vacuum cleaner. So, in short, you'll still have to vacuum - but much less frequently than you usually do.

Best uses for a robot vacuum cleaner:

  • Open-plan rooms with a lot of floor space.
  • Rooms with heavy foot traffic that accumulate dirt, dust, or crumbs.
  • Carpets that need regular cleaning because they're common living areas.
  • Sucking up pet hair, especially in hard-to-reach places.
  • Cleaning while you're at work or otherwise out of the house.

Best uses for a traditional vacuum cleaner (stick, barrel, or handheld):

  • Cluttered areas that require precision vacuuming, especially if you have cables or cords lying around. Robot vacuum cleaners like to eat cords, and they can easily damage them.
  • Thin, narrow areas, and corners where a robot vacuum cannot fit.
  • Any vacuuming that is off the floor (couch cushions, stairs, skirtings, ledges, etc.).
  • Dark carpets that robot vacuums often mistake as stairs or drop-offs and won't vacuum.
  • Areas that need a lot of visual inspection and heavy-handed vacuuming to ensure they are clean.
  • Recreation vehicles, campers, boats, etc. that don't have enough flat space to use a robot vacuum cleaner.

According to reviewers, the best vacuuming strategy was to let their robot vacuum handle daily vacuuming across a wide area. Users would then touch up weekly with a stick or barrel vacuum in the areas the robot vacuum couldn't reach.

Factors to consider when buying a robot vacuum cleaner

It's helpful to think about the purposes you're buying a robot vacuum cleaner for. Having a basic understanding of these purposes, as well as the following buying considerations, will help you know what to look for when you’re reading product info or scrolling through reviews.

Floor type

Most robot vacuum products will specify whether the model is suitable for carpet, hardwood and/or tiles.

Hard floors

While many robovac brands state that their models are safe for hard floors, we noticed after reading reviews that reviewers thought otherwise. And while some robot vacuum cleaners were advertised as friendly for hardwood floors, some users reported that their new robot vacuums scratched their floors. That's why you should make sure you read reviews to see how a vacuum works on your floor type before buying.

Tiles and carpet

Most robot vacuums will work on tiles and carpet. Rugs may be difficult to manoeuvre around for cheap robot vacuums, especially if they're thick, shaggy, or have tassels.

When reading reviews, also take note of comments about the robot vacuum's transition from carpet to tiles, vinyl or hardwood floors. While many robot vacuums transition smoothly, others may get stuck or even spit out an error message.

Room mapping with a robot vacuum

Robot vacuums are designed with a self-navigation system that allows them to map a cleaning route – ideally without intervention. Your robot vacuum cleaner will work the most effectively when it maps your house correctly, which might take a few attempts in the beginning, but operate more smoothly as it gets ‘used to’ its surroundings.

Map navigation works by using navigation sensors. These usually include optical sensors, which judge the distance to a wall, along with features like anti-drop or cliff sensors and obstacle detection. The quality of navigation sensors may be particularly important if you live in a multi-storey house or have plenty of furniture for your robot vacuum to navigate around.

Suction power

This is determined by how powerful and reliable a robot vacuum’s motor is. While barrel and stick vacuums generally have stronger suction power, a good robot vacuum is sufficient for quickly cleaning up dirt, dust, crumbs and short pet hair. Many reviewers were happy with the suction power of their robot vacuums for these purposes.

It's common for robot vacuums to change the level of suction depending on the surface (e.g. carpet or tiles), which can be done automatically or after you adjust the settings. A robovac with a variety of cleaning modes can also offer more suction for specific purposes, for example the Samsung Powerbot X70’s power pet cleaning mode for pet hair.

Battery life

A robot vacuum’s battery life will largely determine its running time. Most robot vacuums can last up to one and a half to two hours, during which they’re able to clean an entire home. Battery life matters more if you have a large home.

For two-storey houses or relatively large areas with plenty of ‘obstacles’ to navigate around such as furniture, a robot vacuum with a short running time might die in the middle of a cleaning session, and travel back to the docking station for charging before completing the cycle.

Some reviewers commented that their vacuums reset after returning to the docking station. This meant the robovac started at the beginning of its cleaning cycle instead of picking up where it left off, taking even more time.

This might not be a problem, but if your priority is getting a quick clean, you’re about to have guests over, or you prefer to supervise your robot vacuum (especially at the start), then insufficient battery life could quickly prove inconvenient.

Ability to handle obstacles, long pet hair and getting stuck

Eufy obstacle detection
Image credit: Eufy.

Reviews showed that robovac users with wide open rooms and minimal rugs or clutter experienced the best results. For families with more items on the floor, more management was required to use their robot vacuum cleaner. Items included cables, children's or pet's toys, throw rugs, stools and tables.

Robot vacuums are often effective at avoiding obstacles so they don't bump into them. However, the safe space a robovac keeps around obstacles means it cleans less surface area if a space is cluttered. Manual vacuuming is then needed in these areas.

Robot vacuums can also struggle with picking up excessive or long pet hair, which can clog the brushes and jam up the wheels. If you have a lot of pet hair, you could be rescuing your robot vacuum often. For some families simply clearing away potential obstacles will solve the problem. For others, the amount of clutter on the floor can prompt them to question whether a robot vacuum cleaner will actually save them time.

Sometimes robot vacuum cleaners get stuck because there’s not enough space for them to continue moving. You can keep your robot vacuum from getting stuck under furniture like chairs or beds by blocking off the area.

Dustbin size

The size of the dustbin will determine how often you have to empty your vacuum. Robot vacuum cleaners are smaller than other types of vacuums, and so have smaller dustbins, but there are still noticeable differences in size between models on the market.

Look for a bin size of at least 0.6 L if you have an average-sized house and don't want to constantly be emptying your vacuum. If you foresee your robovac’s dustbin filling up quickly, look for models with larger dustbins.

Features

There are a variety of features to look out for that can help make a robot vacuum easier to use and more effective at cleaning. Just keep in mind that the more features, the more expensive a robovac will usually be.

  • Remote control: This lets you control your robot vacuum with a remote from the comfort of your couch.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity: A features that lets you connect to your vacuum with Wi-Fi, so you can turn your robovac on remotely or adjust settings via your smart device. Read reviews to see how easy the mobile app that connects to the vacuum you want is.
  • Mopping function: For those with hard floors, a robot vacuum with a mopping function can make it easier to keep dirt and grime at bay.
  • HEPA filter: A HEPA filter can capture smaller particles that otherwise might not be trapped by your vacuum.
  • Self-emptying: This handy feature means that instead of your robovac switching off when its dust bin is full, it’ll head to the docking station and empty the contents into the container.
  • Voice assistant: Some robovacs (usually those with Wi-Fi connectivity) have an in-built voice assistant such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, letting you issue voice commands to get your vacuum to work.

Final tips

If you're planning to buy your robot vacuum in store, research which specific brands stores carry before venturing to the shops. Many of the larger retailers carry robot vacuum cleaners, but only stock a few brands or models.

Also make sure to inspect the coverage of the warranty before buying. Some negative reviews commented that parts wore out quickly but were not covered under warranty, making them expensive or not practical to replace.

The bottom line

What the best vacuum cleaner for you is depends on your lifestyle, cleaning preferences and your home’s design. These include your floor type, the size of your home, and how many extra features you'd like. We hope this guide helps you select a robotic vacuum cleaner that’s designed with the functionality and features best suited to you. Click here to read all reviews of robot vacuum cleaners.