Key Points
- Three main brands rule the robotic vacuum market: Eufy, Neato, and Roomba.
- Roomba, produced by iRobot first came on the automated home cleaning scene in September 2002.
- When selecting a product, take into account the area it will cover, the type of surface, and the amount of dust and debris it will have to clear.
Let’s face it: Vacuuming is a chore, and chores are no fun. Robotic vacuums, which were introduced just over 20 years ago, can eliminate the sense of dread you may feel when it’s time to vacuum. After all, a robotic vacuum does all the work, so you can do another household chore…or kick back and watch Netflix!
Some models allow you to schedule when they run. So, it’s likely that you’ll run it more often than you would vacuum manually. This means that your floors will always be clean.
Robotic vacuums also have an edge when it comes to cleaning under beds and other furniture, so dust bunnies won’t stand a chance.
And if you’re lucky enough to share your home with a cat, let’s not forget the entertainment factor of watching them decide whether they should attack your robotic vacuum, ride it, or ignore it!
Summary
Robotic vacuum cleaners are an efficient way to keep your floors clean, often operating quietly in the background ridding your floors of dust, pet hair and any other mess. The best robotic vacuums also include important user friendly features like scheduling, self-cleaning, mopping, or a remote control.
But as robotic vacuums have become more specialized they have also become more varied. The first Roomba was introduced by iRobot 20 years ago, and since then — thanks to significant advances and multiple improvements on this convenient cleaning appliance — there are now a bevy of robotic vacuum options on the market — each bringing something different to the table. So how do you find the best robotic vacuum for your needs?
Roomba, Neato , and Eufy are three of the most popular robotic vacuum brands, and they each have their own advantages and strengths. We have ranked these three against each other to spotlight the value each one offers. Here are the five most pertinent categories for which they were ranked and which one is tops in each:
- Best for Hardwood Floors: Robot Vacuum BR151
- Best for Affordability: eufy BoostIQ 15c
- Best Premium Vacuum: Neato Neato D10 With LaserSmart Navigation
- Best Self-Emptying Vacuum: iRobot Roomba i3+
- Best for Versatility: Eufy RoboVac g30
- Best Overall: eufy BoostIQ 15c
Factors In Choosing The Best Vacuum
First, you’ll need to determine your use case. Some vacuums excel and hardwood, while others outperform on carpet. Some models, like those chosen here do well on both. If the space you are cleaning is larger you’ll want to choose one with a longer run time. If You need your vacuum to run only at certain times of the day you’ll want one with scheduling features. And if you are particularly noise sensitive, you’ll want a robotic vacuum that runs more quietly. To summarize, some of the important factors when picking the best robotic vacuum are:
- Run time and battery life
- Noise level
- Ability to schedule cleaning
- Flooring material. Carpet, hardwood, or both.
- Additional features like app management and self cleaning
Best for Hardwood Floors: Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo
- Features a high-capacity dustbin
- 230ml water tank can mop after the robot vacuums
- Controlled by Alexa and Google Assistant via voice control
- Zigzag cleaning routine ensures that every section of your floor is spotless
- Utilizes brushless suction so hair can't get entangled
The Robot Vacuum BR151 mopping robot vacuum cleaner combo can quickly remove any type of dust, paper bits, and other small pieces of garbage. It also has a wet mop function that we think it perfect for hardwood floors such as laminate, ceramic tiles, and granite floors.
This robot vacuum has a super advanced 3D precise obstacle avoidance feature. It also has a full set of sensors that can intelligently find and avoid walls, stairs, and other obstacles. It comes in a smooth, modern, slim design that uses start and stop voice commands. There is also a remote control if voice isn’t your thing.
Both mopping and vacuuming offer two different levels of intensity for different floor types. The vacuum does come with a 2500mAh battery capacity so the cleaner can work continuously for around 100 minutes in a 1290 sqft house. The robot vacuum and mop combo can be switched between different modes such as the zigzag path that can cover the largest areas for cleaning.
Not only does this vacuum work great for hardwood floors, but it can also increase your cleaning efficiency by 30%!
Check out the BR151- Robot Vacuum Cleaner, 2 in 1 Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo on Amazon.
Best for Affordability: eufy Boostiq 15C
- Super Slim RoboVac: The 2.85" RoboVac comes with powerful suction and runs quietly.
- Wi-Fi Convenience: The EufyHome app, and Alexa and the Google Assistant voice control-services let you accomplish your vacuuming needs with zero effort from you.
- BoostIQ Technology: RoboVac automatically increases suction power within 1.5 seconds when extra vacuuming strength is needed for deep cleaning.
- A Quiet Clean: Vacuums for up to 100 minutes** of constant, powerful suction at a volume no louder than an operating microwave.
- What You Get: RoboVac 15C MAX, charging base, AC power adapter, cleaning tool, 1 side brush, user manual, and our worry-free 12-month warranty.
Budget-focused consumers should focus on the eufy, a brand that gives you the most bang for your buck, and we recommend the eufy BoostIQ15c. It is much more affordable than similar options from iRobot and Shark, while packing more features. It’s slim profile fits under just about any furniture, even low couches and tables. It also performs shockingly well on high nap carpet and hardwood alike, all while packing bonus features like a long run time and app support.
The eufy BoostIQ 15c is super slim at only 2.85′ tall and includes a large .6l dust bin. This is an important feature as it can run for well over an hour and half and would fill a lesser bin quickly.
While Roomba is a much more recognizable name, that notoriety usually affects the price tag. And while Neato is a close second to Eufy in terms of cost, the eufy BoostIQ 15c has more versatility and features for a comparable price. While 15c may occasionally appear more expensive than other options, it is often available with substantial coupons on Amazon that lower the price. At a list price of $250, it’s not uncommon to see $80 discounts and coupons available.
Check out the eufy BoostIQ15c on Amazon.
Best Premium Vacuum: Neato Neato D10 With LaserSmart Navigation
- Neato D10 vacuums longer than ever. Up to 300 minutes runtime covering up to 2,700 sq.ft. on single charge. Optimize performance and battery life by using energy-saving Eco mode for general vacuuming,...
- Neato's D-shape design reaches dirt where round robots can't—in corners and along walls with its LaserSmart LIDAR technology, the same technology used in self-driving vehicles, to map and navigate...
- Customize your floor plan with Zones that define areas to clean more frequently—or No-Go Zones to identify areas to avoid (like a child's play area or pet food bowls).
- Clean with a Helix Multi-Surface Brush that’s up to 70% bigger than those round robots and 50% quieter on hard surfaces. It’s effective on any surface—hardwood, carpet or tile—so it’s great...
- Exclusive Max Mode for maximum clean. Go beyond Eco and Turbo mode for an even deeper clean with maximum pickup—Neato D10 offers 60% greater dirt pickup than D3 & D5 (tested in internal labs).
When it comes to the most effective robotic vacuum nothing stands up to the Neato D10 with LaserSmart Navigation. The feature list is long, and stands out among even other premium robotic vacuums. To start, the D10 includes:
- A true HEPA filter to eliminate 99.97% of allergens
- A heroic 300 minute run time. 3 Times longer than the eufy model here
- Max, eco, and turbo cleaning modes to modulate the best option for your space
- A unique D shape that cleans corners better than totally circular options
- A .7 liter dust bin, one of the largest offered
- LaserSmart Navigation. Rather than relying on ‘bumping around’ to clean your space, the D10 uses LIDAR to completely map, clean, and navigate your space
Most of the features here can be described as enhancements on core features like run time and power. But the thoughtful D-shaped design and LaserSmart navigation means the vacuum truly cleans more effectively than other options. The D10 can clean up to 2,700 square feet on a single charge. That’s 400 feet more than the average home size in the United States, and more than three times as much as the average apartment.
If you have a large home, want to spend a little more for an extra clean space, and put a premium on features like allergen protection and a long run time the D10 is the best premium robotic vacuum you can buy today.
Check out the Neato D10 with LaserSmart Navigation on Amazon.
Best Self-Emptying Vacuum: iRobot Roomba i3+
- POWERFUL CLEANING—SCHEDULED AROUND YOUR LIFE - Roomba i3plus EVO takes care of dirt and messes with a Premium 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10x the Power-Lifting Suction. Compared to Roomba 600 series.Runtime : 75 minutes
- CLEAN BY ROOM, YOU’RE IN CONTROL - Roomba i3plus EVO learns your home and creates an Imprint Smart Map so you can direct it to clean any room you want, any time you want—either on a set schedule or in the moment
- DON’T LIFT A FINGER FOR MONTHS- The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal allows the i3plus EVO to empty itself into an enclosed bag that captures 99% of particles as small as .7 microns and holds up to 60 days of cleanings. The Roomba i3plus is designed to work simply with the press of the Clean button.
- CLEANING IN TIDY ROWS - Cleans intelligently in straight lines back and forth, to thoroughly clean your floors while navigating around furniture. When the i3plus EVO needs to recharge, it will resume right where it left off ensuring a complete clean
- FOCUSED CLEANING - Patented Dirt Detect Technology allows the Roomba i3plus EVO to detect dirtier areas of your home and clean them more thoroughly. Integrated sensors tell the robot where it can and can’t fit, so it doesn’t get stuck under furniture
iRobot has been making the Roomba vacuum line longer than any of the other major players, so they’ve had more time to develop the best vacuums with important features like app management, long run time, and easy bin emptying, which is featured in the iRobot Roomba i3+.
By far, one of the most useful features is a robotic vacuum that self-empties. There are only a few robotic vacuums that have even attempted this. Among them all, the best is the iRobot Roomba i3+, by far. The i3 words well on hardwood, carpet, tile, and any other flooring material you can throw at it. While the run time isn’t as great as other models here, it doesn’t matter as much because you can schedule the vacuum to run, and self empty multiple times a day. This means that in effect, the Roomba i3+ has a more useful and effective run time than any of the other robotic vacuums here as it never needs to be emptied before cleaning again. The vacuum can run, clean, and empty for months without any input from you.
The iRobot Roomba i3+ also includes other features like an edge cleaning brush, intelligent mapping to make the most of each session, and long life rubber bristles that require low maintenance.
If you want the best self-emptying robotic vacuum, the iRobot Roomba i3+ is the top pick today.
Check out the iRobot Roomba i3+ on Amazon.
Best For Versatility: Eufy RoboVac g30
- -Dynamic Navigation 2.0: Navigate faster and better than before. By thoroughly covering your entire house with logical route planning instead of random paths, RoboVac doesn't miss a spot.
- - Two Chores Covered: With both vacuuming and mopping capabilities, RoboVac G30 Hybrid gives you two fewer chores to worry about. The ultra-strong 2000 Pa suction picks up more debris across all surfaces, while the mopping module applies the finishing touch.
- - Control at Your Fingertips: Take full control of RoboVac from your smartphone. Review cleaning history, set scheduled cleaning, switch modes, and more on the app.
- - Set Boundary Strips: Exclude your kid’s play area or your pet’s bed. RoboVac uses specialized dual-Hall Sensors to detect the Boundary Strips you set, ensuring it only cleans the areas required.
- - Note: Make sure you are using a 2.4GHz router or a dual-band router that is configured to support a 2.4GHz frequency band. RoboVac doesn’t support 5GHz frequency band.
The eufy by Anker, RoboVac g30 hybrid two-in-one mop combo made the Eufy the early frontrunner. The g30 has the enviable feature of being both a vacuum, and a mop. Additionally, it boasts an impressive AI mapping system and supreme suction power. All of that combines into a versatile cleaning tool for carpet and tile cleaning. This hybrid vac does it all, and you can control it all from the convenience if your phone. Plus, review previous cleanings, schedule future cleanings and more — all in the app. The eufy will clean only where you want, avoiding areas you’d prefer left untouched. That’s smart!
However, as you would expect, the additional features that make this both a mop and a vacuum compromise the effectiveness of the other. The g30 still works admirably well as a single solution, particularly for smaller apartments with mostly tile floors.
We can easily recommend the eufy RoboVac g30 for smaller spaces with majority hard surface flooring, and for buyers who don’t want to worry about having to buy multiple devices.
Check out the eufy by Anker, RoboVac G30 Hybrid on Amazon.
Best Overall Robotic Vacuum: eufy BoostIQ 15c
- Super Slim RoboVac: The 2.85" RoboVac comes with powerful suction and runs quietly.
- Wi-Fi Convenience: The EufyHome app, and Alexa and the Google Assistant voice control-services let you accomplish your vacuuming needs with zero effort from you.
- BoostIQ Technology: RoboVac automatically increases suction power within 1.5 seconds when extra vacuuming strength is needed for deep cleaning.
- A Quiet Clean: Vacuums for up to 100 minutes** of constant, powerful suction at a volume no louder than an operating microwave.
- What You Get: RoboVac 15C MAX, charging base, AC power adapter, cleaning tool, 1 side brush, user manual, and our worry-free 12-month warranty.
Drumroll, please! Our top pick for the best overall robotic vacuum is the same choice as our top pick for affordability: the eufy BoostIQ 15c. This model achieves so much at this price point that it’s hard to argue against it as being the overall best vacuum. While it doesn’t have the longest run time, it is plenty sufficient for most spaces. The large dust bin picks up a shocking amount of dust, hair, and debris. While the brushes aren’t the long-life rubber options, in our experience they actually performed better at picking up large items like rocks, LEGO blocks, cereal, and broken crayons. The extra long bristles were less likely to jam up (though, they do have to be cleaned more often).
As mentioned, the vacuum is slim. At only 2.85′ tall it fits under nearly all furniture. The model can often be paired with hefty coupons to bring the price well below $200 on Amazon. What’s more, cleaning, repair, and rebuild kits are plentiful. So if you do run in to issues, the parts are easily replaced and repaired, which extends the life of your vacuum and effectively lowers your total cost of ownership further.
Congratulations to the eufy BoostIQ 15c, our top ranked overall robotic vacuum cleaner!
Check out the eufy BoostIQ 15c on Amazon.
How To Pick The Best Robotic Vacuums of 2022: Step by Step
If you’re ready to pull the trigger and buy your first robotic vacuum — or perhaps upgrade to a newer model — you’ll want to have three key areas in mind to help make your selection. These features include:
- Area
- Medium
- Strength Requirement
Area
It goes without saying that a larger space will require a more robust vacuum. Things to consider when purchasing your robotic vacuum — particularly when taking area to be cleaned into consideration — is the length of charge. How long will the vacuum operate on one charge? Does it self-charge on its own or will you need to do it? How does it navigate the areas to be cleaned? Will it create a map on its own, or will you need to assist in that effort? How easily does it navigate tricky spaces? And does it have the abilities to avoid obstacles you don’t want touched? Take all of these into consideration when it comes to thinking of the area to be cleaned.
Medium
Different types of flooring require different types of vacuums — or at the very least, different capabilities. Does the vacuum you’re considering clean both hardwoods AND carpets? How strong is the suction capability on carpeted areas? Does it have the proper equipment and technology to help it navigate corners and floorboards? Take these things into consideration when you picture how you’ll be using your vacuum.
Strength Requirement
Think about just how much dirt and grime you’re expecting this robotic vacuum to tackle. If you’re just looking for a vacuum to suck up the abundance of dog hair your pets shed, that’s one skillset. If you have a gaggle of children who track in dirt and mud and leave it on both hardwoods AND carpets, that’s a whole different ballgame. Take these various needs — and the strength required to clean them — into account as. you consider your robotic vacuum options.
What to Know Before Buying Robotic Vacuums
The most important thing to keep in mind before buying your robotic vacuum is how you plan to use it. What are your expectations and how much oversight are you willing to offer your new toy? Once you have a clear understanding, then you will be able to find the device that fits those specific needs and you won’t waste money on features that you don’t need and will never use.
Using Robotic Vacuums: What it’s Like
If you select the best robotic vacuum for your needs and expectations, then using it should be a breeze. You’ll likely need to familiarize yourself with the features of the vacuum, give it a complete charge, download the app, and then take it out for a few test drives before your comfortable leaving it to clean on its own. You’ll likely want to keep an eye on how it navigates and just how strong — or not — its cleaning capabilities are before leaving unmonitored. But once you get to a point where it can go on its own, you can relish in the joys of modern technology and how it makes your life so much easier.
Enjoy your new robotic vacuum, whichever one you choose!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©kitzcorner/Shutterstock.com.
