Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Based on 1,741 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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Guy Sands4 posts
 

We were happy with the cleaning the machine provided. Unfortunately we needed spare parts for the Lulu tower. The supplier, Robot MY Life tooks… Read more

weeks, after numerous follow ups, to reply and then told us we would receive an invoice to order the parts. After 3 more weeks we cut our losses and changed to another brand. Avoid this company the service is non existant!!

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

iRobot Roomba 600 Series

3.7 
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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Susan B.QLD
  Fair Incentive

We first tried non brand replacements but vacuum continued to do a suboptimal job. We bought a Roborock brush. This improved the performance somewhat. We are now wishing to replace all consumables with genuine parts. Show details

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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Michelle C.NSW2 posts
  Verified

I haven’t had a fully automatic Roborock before so this is a real luxury. “Berta” is great. Easy to setup, easy to map and set schedules. She’s great… Read more

on low pile carpets and mats and mops with the grain of the laminate floor boards. Hardly any maintenance, I mop and vacuum every weekday and only need to wash or blow out the filter once a week. And fill the water container. Highly recommended.

Ultenic Vacuum T Series

Ultenic Vacuum T Series

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $529
  • Bin Capacity4 L to 4.3 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 180 min
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Helen2 posts
  Verified

After sales service is non existent! No one returns your calls and it’s a robot who answers.I have a broken product under warranty and no one will help me! Show details

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

Roborock Qrevo MaxV

4.3 
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 Qrevo Edge

Roborock Qrevo Edge

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,799
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Kirsty M.VIC3 posts
  Verified

It cleans, vaccumes, mops well, lifts mop pads before vaccumes carpet (Not sure it vaccumes as good as my S6 but still does a good job, gets to some… Read more

edges, but misses some (not sure if this a mapping problem) also see "unmopped bits" a gap between the 2 mop pads. Love coming home to a clean floor with clear vaccume marks in the carpet pile, makes my day.

Roborock Q Revo

Roborock Q Revo

4.2 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,999
  • Bin Capacity2.7 L
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Steph4 posts
 

The robot started malfunctioning during the warranty period. When I sent it for repair to Roborock, they held it for over four weeks claiming to… Read more

repair the robot. They then suddenly claimed to not find any fault and sent the robot unfixed back to me. The robot is of poor quality, making loud noises while cleaning and doesn't clean effectively. Save your money and go for any other brand but Roborock. Terrible after sales service and terrible product.

Roborock
Roborock    

Dear Customer, first of all, we sincerely apologize for… Read more (+3 replies)

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

3.9 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,999
  • HEPA FilterNo
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CMKNSW4 posts
 

We've had this vacuum for years and can't fault it. We've got a long haired cat and it picks up everything up with no issues. If it breaks in the next few years we would repurchase. Show details

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

Dreame D20 Pro Plus

4.7 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $999
  • Bin Capacity0.5 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 285 min
Jenny GommeWA3 posts
  Verified

Very happy with the Dreame vacuum and mop. Does a good job but I still have to do a regular vacuum and mop. Show details

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

4.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,899
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HasNSW3 posts
  Verified

I purchased the **Roborock Saros 10R** expecting a premium product, but this has turned into a 4-month dispute with Roborock. The first unit became… Read more

faulty shortly after minimal use. The replacement they sent was also faulty. After reporting this again, I was offered a third unit—but it was refurbished, not brand new, despite already receiving two defective products.

Under **Australian Consumer Law**, a product must be of acceptable quality, and when there is a major failure, the consumer has the right to choose a refund or replacement. In this case, receiving multiple faulty units clearly constitutes a major failure.

Despite this, Roborock repeatedly refused my refund requests. It was only after I contacted NSW Fair Trading and lodged a formal complaint that they suddenly offered to send a brand-new replacement. By that stage, I had completely lost confidence in both the product and the company.

I made it clear that I no longer trust this model and requested either a refund or a replacement with a newer model. Both requests were rejected.

After months of being ignored, going in circles, and having to chase responses, I have now escalated the matter to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

This experience shows a clear disregard for consumer rights and a failure to comply with obligations under Australian Consumer Law. The issue is not just the faulty products, but the way the situation has been handled—delays, refusal to take responsibility, and forcing the customer to escalate the matter just to seek a fair outcome.

I would strongly caution anyone considering purchasing from this company.

Roborock
Roborock    

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience — that… Read more (+2 replies)

Roborock Qrevo Curv

Roborock Qrevo Curv

4.4 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,799
  • HEPA FilterNo
HotwireNSW19 posts
 

This vacuuming robot does an excellent job. Just looking at the waste water gives you a idea how much it gets off the floor. The voice commands are a… Read more

bit gimmicky but slightly useful. The mop gets much closer to the edges that previous models. It's quieter than previous robot vacuums that I have had. I used this on timber, tile and rugs with equally good results. It requires a ramp to get up to my bathroom tiled floors, which are 3.5cm higher than the timber floors. It's base station is overly big but works well. The cost however is a shocker and I think it could be more affordable.

Roborock Qrevo C

Roborock Qrevo C

4.3 
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.

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 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

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni

4.2 
Summary
  • Bin Capacity0.26 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 255 min
Paula4 posts
 

Honestly, so far I am impressed. This is exactly what I needed. We have about 350sqm of house and with animals leaving fluff and fur everywhere the… Read more

ecovacs covers it all while I am at work, saving me hours of cleaning and ensuring I come home to a nice clean floor. Set up was super easy (and fun) it has Done about 5 or 6 runs haven't had to change the bag yet. Can definitely recommend!!

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

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

2.8 
Summary
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 180 min
Hollie W10 posts
 

Worst customer service and I have ever experienced. My vacuum cleaner started playing up two months ago, I sent it back on two occasions and received… Read more

it back and the issue still persists. I was promised her placement but they have since then reversed their agreement. I have called several times and been promised I would get a call back with yet to hear back from them.

Roborock
Roborock    

Dear Customer, first of all, we sincerely apologize for… Read more (+1 reply)

Roborock Qrevo L

Roborock Qrevo L

5.0 
Summary
$1,499RRP
JayQLD
  Fair Incentive

Upgraded to this from an ecovac and wouldn't go back, really great quality and does a good job. Show details

Roborock Qrevo Master

Roborock Qrevo Master

5.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,699
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 180 min
Parvinder SidhuVIC3 posts
  Fair Incentive

I got a Roborock Qrevo master a couple of months ago and I am in love with it. Probably one of the best purchase I have made!! It saves me so much… Read more

time that I can now use to do other things. The ability to edit the map and the convenience the app offers is great, has a good AI detection to avoid obstacles. I like the ease with which you can select a particular area and function as you need. I haven't had any issues with it so far and I am very happy with the purchase. (Basic maintenance should be done as with any equipment like keeping the sensors clean, and I plan to keep following those instructions to continue enjoying its benefits).

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

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni

3.8 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,499
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
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Jake B.QLD
 

Started great . Vaccumed well hard floors and roller mop worked great vac max suc is loud. Other then that pretty good over all . But around 2… Read more

months in navigation error. And then the decline into navigation madness no straight lines ,it would be still for 10 seconds thinking then fast as possible for 2 m or until it rammed into the walls . Returned to jbhifi for refund and have gone with a Dreame l50 ultra see how it goes . So far quiter overall unit .

Ecovacs
Ecovacs    

Hi there, we’re really sorry to hear about your… Read more

Lefant M1

Lefant M1

4.2 
Summary
DanielVIC7 posts
  Verified

The Lefant M1 has been an amazing addition to our family home. It doesn't matter if I want a quick vacuum done with chairs in the way, or if I want… Read more

to lift items off the ground, I'm always very happy with the job the M1 does. For a budget robot vacuum, it's more than met expectations.

  • Price (RRP) $229.95
  • Bin Capacity0.6 L
  • HEPA FilterYes
  • Running Time 120 min
ShannonQLD
  Verified

Have 1 cat and 1 dog at home, and I can attest this has been a great vacuum cleaner ever since the day I bought it. Great suction that never feels me down. 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!).

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Series

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Series

5.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,699 to $2,999
  • Bin Capacity0.22 L
  • HEPA FilterNo
  • Running Time 254 min
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LyniseWA3 posts
 

My husband & I were only going to browse today, however Matt gave great service with alot of knowledge on these different robotic vacuums & yes we… Read more

bought. Thank you Matt for your lovely friendly service. Happy long term customers at Retravision Bunbury...cheers Lynise & Ross

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

Roborock Q10V+

Roborock Q10V+

4.3 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $1,299
  • HEPA FilterNo
GAC22 posts
  Verified

It cleans well enough, does partially mop the floor, and has reasonable obstacle avoidence. Mapping is good, just remember to keep doors shut of… Read more

rooms you dont want it in (like a bathroom that gets very wet) and it gets confused by floor to ceiling windows, it includes the world outside of the windows, so keep blinds/curtains shut when mapping.

The reservoir is limited, filling every couple of days is getting annoying, and it doesn't always empty the mass of cat hair (we have 2) into the base unit properly. I find we are giving it a good clean every couple of weeks as it gets bunged up with dust and moisture (inevitable with a wet mop and a vacuum combined, probably not unique to this appliance).

Would i recommend it? For the $596 we paid for it, so far its reasonable value. Its definately halved our cleaning, we just use the Dyson hand-held once a week to get to the places it cant. Its not bad, i'd probably buy another when this one needs replacing.

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow

Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow

5.0 
Summary
  • Price (RRP) $2,499
  • Bin Capacity0.32 L
  • Running Time 228 min
Michiel H.3 posts
  Fair Incentive Verified

Pretty cool unit once received. The vacuuming does great. We have a large house with two labradors. Good thing they only shed twice a year:… Read more

January through June and again July through December! In other words there is a never ending supply of hair! Only downside is that it took a long time from ordering it to receiving it.

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.