Best Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

The term “Roomba” is so synonymous with robotic vacuum cleaners, it would be permissible for some to initially think of them as one and the same.

iRobot’s Roomba 960 is at the higher end of the many variants of the Roomba model, alongside the entry-level Roomba 614 and popular Roomba 690. While many iterations of the Roomba over the years has both pleased and frustrated homeowners, the company seems to have struck gold with the lauded and powerful 960.

Adapting to the increasingly ubiquitous smartphone, the Roomba 960 utilizes iRobot’s HOME application to control the device. In fact, this method of operation is so streamlined that there are no other controls available, aside from a singular “Clean” button at the top of the device that will activate this product’s dual multi-surface brush rolls and edge sweeping brush. On the HOME app, you can see the rooms Roomba has cleaned and when, map rooms with the Roomba’s camera, check for any issues of clogged brush rolls or jammed wheels, and even tell your Roomba to make a second pass or do a better job cleaning the edges of a room. Out of all robotic vacuum cleaners and associated applications on our list, perhaps none are as comprehensive or detailed as iRobot’s HOME.

However, anyone hoping for a simpler setup will need to consult other options, as using the Roomba 960 without the application is next to impossible. Similarly, the streamlined nature of the design means that there are no alternative brush roll attachments, which can mean your Roomba will struggle to get over any shag carpets you may have in the home. The boundary setting is effective with iRobot’s invisible wall system, but these do need a periodic battery replacement, take up a significant amount of room, and can cost a fair amount of money on top of the already-premium cost of the 960.

We recommend the iRobot Roomba 960 for anyone who wants a vacuum that will work without much fuss, maintenance, or oversight. Pet owners and those with lots of carpeting will be less than pleased with this design, but with an application as powerful as iRobot’s HOME, it can be a tradeoff worth making to some. Also be sure to consider other Roomba models that may have a more favorable price while still offering similar features.

This thin robotic vacuum from eufy might be as unassuming as a robotic vacuum can be. For a more affordable robotic vacuum without a proprietary application, however, this product has no issues out-performing many models both at this price range and beyond.

The eufy RoboVac 11 seems to be the company’s current flagship model, alongside the longer-lasting RoboVac 11+ and carpet focused RoboVac 11S. This no-frills version of the RoboVac lineup promises a thorough clean and features a dedicated brush roll as well as two edge sweepers.

It’s worth noting that, compared to other products on our list, the eufy RoboVac has some of the highest reviews. Fans of the eufy are quick to compliment performance on edges and hardwood especially, alongside notes about the lower clearance. While robotic vacuums are on the shorter side in general, the eufy has no problems slipping under most furniture and pulling out dust and dirt that may have been resting dormant for years. Other features include a 3-point cleaning system, an infrared system for avoiding obstacles before running into them, drop protection to prevent running off of stairs, and remote control to control the entire system.

The eufy is light on certain key features, even when compared to other products at this price range. The lack of a boundary setting, attachments, coverage mapping, and supporting application are all noteworthy and surprising to see missing on this model. Much like the Roomba 960, the RoboVac 11 can also struggle on high pile carpeting. Luckily, the built-in tracking and room cleaning moves are more than capable when it comes to cleaning an entire room without an application. Provided you keep an eye on the eufy to make sure it doesn’t go venturing off into too many rooms, you’ll find that the dual edge brushes and powerful brush motor do an excellent job at pulling debris from your carpet. You may even find yourself emptying the bin more often than expected, thanks to its suction power. Between the RoboVac 11 and its associated variants, you can expect a clean home at a fair price.

Neato Robotics has quickly risen to the clout of the iRobot Roomba brand and produces quality robotic vacuums with unique technology to compete at all levels. With the Botvac D5, the focus now seems to be on pets and carpets. The Neato Botvac D5 is the only D-shaped robotic vacuum on our list, which can help to counteract the natural weakness of robotic vacuums to handle edges and corners. Two edge brushes sweep hair and debris into the spin flow power clean system, which features a heavy brush roll and extra-large bin.

The entire product is also controlled by Neato’s application, which allows you to schedule and start cleaning sessions, view history, map out your rooms, and more. There is no boundary setting within the application, but Neato robotics offers an unconventional solution that will require an extra purchase to set boundaries.

Magnetic strips called Neato Boundary Markers can be utilized to section off your home into “go” and “no-go” zones for your Neato device. This solution is better than nothing but, unlike the iRobot invisible wall system, will require a fair amount more work on your part to set up. When considering a robotic vacuum, this extra effort can be a detriment.

Likewise, there’s no way to steer the Botvac D5 without the application or direct it towards a specific area to clean. You’re entirely reliant on the device’s application, so without the right phone, others won’t be able to use the product. The Botvac D5 is also the largest and heaviest robotic vacuum cleaner on our list, and while the weight isn’t necessarily a problem, the size will prohibit the Botvac from getting underneath furniture.

Still, we feel as if there is no better robotic vacuum in the market to tackle pet hair. While the product isn’t HEPA certified right out of the box, the ultra performance filter does an excellent job keeping dust from circulating in the air. Pet owners, those who suffer from allergies, and those with lots of carpeted flooring will be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive option.

The Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro is something of an enigma both in price and features. Most robotic vacuums force the end-users to make a choice: either enjoy the autonomous luxury of applications and boundary setting, or the simplicity of a remote-controlled and more hands-on robotic vacuum. What Ecovac seems to have done with the Deebot M80 is take the best of both worlds with few of the drawbacks.

The Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro, as of the writing of this article, is significantly easier to operate than the eufy RoboVac 11. The Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro also promises a 5-stage cleaning system that includes mopping functionality, a max power suction mode, brush roll, and side brushes. Mopping seems to be somewhat of a novelty feature for the Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro, but then again, how many robotic vacuums manage to mop your floors?

Other features include the Ecovacs application. While it is mostly an emulator of the included remote control, having the capability of turning the vacuum on and off from across the home is always a plus. The remote control functionality also extends to your smart devices, as the vacuum can be activated by most commercial smart speakers.

The functionality of a top-of-the-line robotic vacuum at a rock-bottom price, unfortunately, comes with a few noticeable cut corners. While the application is handy, it is quite limited in features, and many users that enjoy the device simply opt for the remote control. Likewise, the product doesn’t do well without supervision.

While the Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro is programmed with anti-fall sensors and an infrared sensor to avoid collisions, many users report watching their Deebot stumble around the home and occasionally forget to dock itself.

If you can accept the quirks for what they are, however, there’s little else to worry about. The Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro handles hardwood and low-pile carpet without a fuss, and can even tackle high-pile carpet to a fair amount of success. Provided you’re ready to play babysitter for your smart device, the Ecovacs Deebot M80 Pro  gives you everything a robotic vacuum has to offer without the price tag.