The Best Robot Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed

Robot vacuums have ushered in a new era of hands-off floor care, delivering cleaner carpets and hard floors with almost no effort from the user. Today’s models are smarter, stronger, and far more capable than the early generations, especially our top pick, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni, which not only vacuums and power-scrubs floors but also heat-dries its mop pads after every run to prevent odor and mildew.

After researching more than 50 top-selling models, we tested several high-tech robot vacuums in our own homes to see how they handled everyday dirt, pet hair, obstacles, and mixed flooring. We paid close attention to cleaning performance, navigation, and ease of use.

Ahead, discover how each model performed in testing and why they earned a place on our list of the best robot vacuums.

1. BEST OVERALL: ​Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra
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3. BEST WITH SPOT CLEANER: Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E28
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4. UPGRADE PICK: Shark Detect Pro Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum 
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5. BEST WITH MOP: Ecovacs Deebot Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
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Our Top Picks 

Robot vacuums are designed with one primary purpose: vacuuming floors so people needn’t spend time pushing a machine around.  While the following robot vacuums vary according to runtime, dustbin capacity, extra features, and price, each is a standout in its category. One is likely to meet a shopper’s vacuuming needs.

The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is one of the most advanced robot vacuum-mop hybrids we’ve tested (and easily the most hands-off). Its base station includes large, easy-access clean and dirty water tanks, an onboard detergent reservoir, and a built-in hot-air dryer that fully dries the mop pads after every run. That single feature alone sets it apart, eliminating the mildew smell common with other robot mops. In daily use across about 750 square feet (plus an Australian shepherd’s constant shedding and muddy paws), the X9 Pro delivers consistently excellent cleaning. Its navigation is smart, its edge-cleaning feature is surprisingly effective, and the app logs cleaning time and square footage for every cycle.

While the battery often requires a mid-cycle recharge, the overall cleaning performance more than makes up for it. Maintenance is impressively minimal thanks to automatic reminders and the thoughtful design of the base unit. After six months of daily testing, the mop pads still look and smell fresh, and we’ve barely had to intervene beyond emptying the dirty water tank and topping off the solution. For homeowners who want a truly set-it-and-forget-it solution, the Deebot X9 Pro Omni is the most capable and streamlined robot vacuum-mop combo we’ve used.

What our tester says: “I run the X9 Pro every day, and it still impresses me, especially the heat-drying mop feature. It’s the closest thing to a zero-maintenance robot cleaner I’ve tested.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Ecovacs X9 Pro Omni at Amazon or Ecovacs.

The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra may look a bit plasticky out of the box, but its performance is anything but entry-level. Its dual spinning mop pads are the star of the show—moving dynamically to scrub corners, edges, and tight spaces in a way that standard roller mops simply can’t match. Paired with 18,000Pa suction, a tangle-free brush, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance that recognizes 200+ household objects, the Freo Z10 Ultra navigates confidently while delivering seriously deep cleaning. The base station also hot-washes and heat-dries the mop pads, uses a quiet self-emptying dustbin with up to 120 days of debris capacity, and handles maintenance with minimal noise or fuss.

What stood out most during testing was how much water this model uses compared to others—and that’s a good thing. We found ourselves refilling the clean water tank more frequently (every one to two cycles), but the trade-off is worth it: the dirty water tank stays far less sludgy, and the floors look noticeably cleaner because the robot is constantly mopping with fresh, hot-washed pads. Add in easy tank access, real-time adaptive cleaning, and a thoughtful Pet Mode, and the Freo Z10 Ultra proves itself as a powerful, pet-friendly option that scrubs more thoroughly than most high-end robot mop-vacuums.

What our tester says: “The spinning mop pads are what won me over—they scrub in places most robot mops can’t reach, and the floors genuinely look cleaner because it uses so much fresh water.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Narwal robot vacuum at Amazon or Narwal.

The Eufy Omni E28 stands out thanks to its innovative detachable FlexiOne wet vacuum—an industry-first feature that adds huge versatility. The handheld unit detaches from the top of the robot, letting you deep-clean carpets, upholstery, stairs, and stubborn messes with a squeeze-to-spray water system and a clear viewing window that shows debris being lifted in real time. Once you’re done, a single button flushes out the handheld vac, making it far more convenient than a separate spot cleaner. As a robot, the E28 delivers strong cleaning performance with 20,000 Pa suction, anti-tangle dual brushes, and real-time self-washing roller mops that stay fresh throughout each cleaning cycle.

While it’s one of the loudest models we tested—especially when emptying into the base—the noise comes with an upside: it completely clears the dustbin, even in homes full of pet hair (like ours). The self-cleaning base also washes and dries the mops, refills the tank, and keeps maintenance reminders synced through the app. When it comes time for deeper cleaning, there are quite a few components to take apart, and the process is a bit tedious, but it only needs to be done about once a month. For homes with pets, carpets, and constant messes, the Omni E28 offers impressive power, smart features, and unmatched flexibility thanks to its built-in handheld wet vac.

Get the Eufy Omni E28 robot vacuum at Amazon, The Home Depot, Best Buy, or Eufy.

We’ve had several Shark upright vacuums in the past that performed well, so we were excited to test the new Detect Pro, Shark’s latest addition to its robo-vac lineup. The initial setup was simple: We downloaded the app and it connected quickly to our home network. This model will connect to 2.4 or 5 GHz networks, making it suitable for most users.  

We sprinkled flour and rice on several parts of the floor and got out of the Detect Pro’s way. After mapping out the floor perimeter, it proceeded to methodically vacuum back and forth in a stripe pattern to pick up all the debris, even bits that had fallen in the crevice between the edge of the area rug where it meets the floor. We were impressed.

We could choose from three different suction power modes: Normal, Eco, and Maximum. Normal was sufficient for cleaning up the rice and flour, but we needed Maximum to pick up stubbornly clinging pet hair from the carpet. Eco mode was best suited for picking up light dust from our tile and hardwood floors.

Its advanced sensing technology kept the machine from tumbling down the open stairway, and it seemed to know the difference between small bits of debris and wires—it picked up the debris and avoided the wires. The Shark Detect Pro was relatively quiet while cleaning, and when it was done, it returned to its charging station and emptied the debris into an internal vacuum bag.

A small but appreciated bonus is an odor-neutralizer pod that fits into the charger base and keeps the base from smelling sour, as some vacuums tend to do after repeated use. Every time the vacuum empties itself, air flows through the pod, giving the room a fresh scent.

Get the Shark robot vacuum at Amazon.  

With the advanced features of the Ecovacs Deebot Omni, manually cleaning floors may soon be a thing of the past. First off, this is no wimpy robot vacuum. The shipping weight was 48 pounds, and when unboxed, the unit weighed a hefty 41.8 pounds—and that’s before filling the washing tank with water. 

The Deebot Omni is a combo robot vacuum and mop and, unlike some other combo units we looked at, this model doesn’t just spray water and swish it around. It features two rotating scrubbing pads and it heats the mopping water for truly clean results. It dispenses hot water on the floor, scrubs, and then sucks up the dirty water. It did a good job removing light spots and stains.

The vacuuming is top-notch as well. It mapped out the floor plan and avoided wires, cords, and a pair of shoes that were inadvertently left in the test area. There are three suction modes for optimal efficiency that effectively picked up flour, rice grains, and pet hair on all three. The base boasts a large dust bag that Ecovacs claims will hold up to 70 days of dust. When its tasks were done, the robot vac returned to its charging station and proceeded to wash its scrub pads, so we didn’t have to remove and clean them.

The app is user-friendly and synced quickly with our home network. We connected it to Alexa devices, but the app offers so many more options plus monitoring ability, so we preferred using it. Overall, the Deebot Omni is one heck of a robot vacuum, and we feel its advanced mopping features are a positive sign of where all robot vacuums will go in the near future. 

Get the Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks 

How We Tested the Best Robot Vacuums

We tested the robot vacuums in three pet-friendly homes—a 1-bedroom apartment with two people and two dogs; a 4-bedroom home with an Australian shepherd; and a bustling rural residence with four dogs, two cats, and two humans. Testing took place on several types of flooring, including hard floors (wood, linoleum, and tile), carpet, and area rugs. 

We tested each vacuum similarly, charging it fully and seeing how well it picked up sprinkled flour (to simulate dust), grains of rice, and breadcrumbs. We also created an obstacle course to see how well each vacuum could navigate around large objects like furniture and such smaller items as socks, barrier tape, and wires.  

In addition, we tested the smart features, downloading the apps and syncing them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If the robot vacuum came with a mopping function, we tested that, too. Finally, we emptied each dustbin to determine how easy or difficult it was and noted how much debris it would hold before needing to be dumped. 

At the end of testing, we awarded points based on a rubric—the better a robot vacuum performed a specific function, the more points it received. Finally, we averaged the points to pinpoint the top performers and to establish the best uses for each model.

What to Consider When Choosing a Robot Vacuum 

When selecting a robot vacuum, cleaning power is undoubtedly a priority, but the effectiveness of any model depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the space, the type of flooring, battery life, and operation methods.

Coverage Area

Before buying a robot vacuum, first consider the size of the home. Those with larger homes may want to consider a higher-end model with a longer runtime so that it can clean the entire house on a single charge. Some models can return to their charging dock to recharge and then go back out to finish the job, which is a mighty convenient feature in a large home.

For those who live in multistory homes, keep in mind that robot vacuums can’t climb stairs. Also consider whether the home’s flooring is primarily hardwood or carpeting. While robot vacuums are technically designed to handle bare floors as well as rugs and carpets, some perform better on certain flooring types. 

Suction Power

The manufacturer might list the robot vacuum’s suction power in one of three measures: air watts; airflow in cubic feet per minute; or Pa, which are most commonly used.

The higher the Pa rating, the higher the atmospheric suction power of the machine. While manufacturers often use strong suction power as a selling point for robot vacuums, it isn’t actually a significant indicator of performance. Those with thick carpeting or high-pile rugs may require a robot vacuum with stronger suction. 

Generally speaking, most models perform well at picking up dirt, dust, and pet hair from bare floors as well as low- and medium-pile carpet. As long as a robot vacuum features a Pa rating of 500 or higher, it’ll get most vacuuming jobs done. 

Functions

Robot vacuums often include a selection of operating modes. “Turbo” modes offer quick and intense cleaning power; “eco” modes save battery power; and “quiet” modes won’t disturb others while they’re working, studying, napping, or watching TV. Some vacuums even offer programmable cleaning that can be scheduled in advance.

Some models also feature a built-in mop function, allowing users to clean tile and hardwood floors. They typically include a spray jet for dispensing water and floor cleaner as well as multiple cleaning pads for different types of flooring. 

Operation

Along with a control panel, most robot vacuums come with a remote control to activate the vacuum when necessary or change the operating mode. 

Many robot vacuums also connect to Wi-Fi for remote operation through an app. In addition to programming the machine, the app may also monitor the robot’s cleaning progress, battery life, and dustbin. More advanced models are compatible with smart-home systems that offer the same benefits, with the bonus of voice commands.

Battery Life

Regardless of its suction power, a robot vacuum won’t clean effectively without a properly charged battery. During an extensive cleaning cycle, some models will automatically dock in their charging stations until refueled and then continue vacuuming where they left off. 

Manufacturers often list battery runtime and the area size (in square footage) that the vacuum will successfully clean on a single charge. Expect most robot vacuums to run for between 90 and 120 minutes before they need to be charged. 

Additional Features

Some robot vacuums may come with a range of additional features to expand their functionality. 

• Size and shape: Diameter does not vary much from one robot vacuum to another, but heights may range from 2.8 to 6 inches tall. A robot with a slimmer profile can access spaces around low furniture. The round shape of most robot vacuums enables easy turning and route patterns, while D-shaped models can turn flat for close cleanup along baseboards.
• Navigation: Those that land in the most affordable robot vacuum category function by simply bouncing off walls and furniture, operating in erratic patterns. Higher-end models actually perform digital mapping in order to recall a home’s floor plan and operate more efficiently. 
• Self-emptying: Some robot vacuums empty the dirt and debris they collect into a receptacle in their charging docks, which only needs to be emptied every month or so. 
• Smart-home integration: Some higher-end robot vacuums can sync with smart-home assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, enabling voice commands to control the cleaning sessions. 

FAQs

Read on for succinct answers to some of the most common questions about robot vacuums. 

Q. Can a robot vacuum replace a normal vacuum?

While many modern robot vacuums work well for light day-to-day cleaning, they still don’t quite compare to standard upright vacuums in terms of how much dust and debris they’re able to pick up.

Q. Do I need a mapping robot vacuum?

The mapping function helps conserve battery power, which makes this feature convenient for larger homes. Mapping vacuums use their charge time more efficiently by avoiding cleaning the same areas more than once.

Q. Should I get a robot vacuum with a mop?

Robot vacuums with mops make a great choice for households with children and pets, where floors may benefit from more regular mopping.

Q. What is the best robot vacuum/mop combo?

The Ecovacs robot vacuum is one of the best options on the market for those shopping for a robot vacuum and mop combo. 

Q. How long do robot vacuums typically last?

Most robot vacuums last 4 to 6 years with regular maintenance and timely filter, brush, and battery replacements.

Q. Are robot vacuums worth the money?

Yes! Especially for busy households or homes with pets. They save time, reduce daily dirt and hair buildup, and keep floors consistently cleaner with minimal effort.

Q. How long does it take a robot vacuum to clean a room?

Most robot vacuums take 10 to 20 minutes per room, depending on the model, floor type, and amount of furniture or obstacles.

Q. How often should you mop your floors?

In most homes, mopping once a week is enough, but high-traffic or pet-heavy areas might benefit from mopping two to three times per week.

Meet the Testers

Amanda Lauren is an interior design, lifestyle, and cleaning expert who has written for many publications. She has tested a variety of products for Bob Vila, including vacuums, mops, shower squeegees, and more. She prefers to clean with vinegar and water whenever possible, and pet stains are the bane of her existence.

Paul Rankin is a product tester and home-improvement writer who specializes in hands-on reviews of cleaning appliances, smart home gear, and DIY tools. His testing approach is detailed, practical, and based on real-world use in his own home.

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.

Additional research provided by Savannah Sher. 

 

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