The Best Robot Vacuums Tested in 2023

The RoboRock Q5+ took the top spot in our lineup, demonstrating high efficiency and a user-friendly app. The RoboRock deftly maneuvered around the room and under furniture. While it glided smoothly over most area rugs, it did get tangled in a high-pile shag rug, but we anticipated that—robot vacuums still are not made to clean long-fiber rugs.

Featuring 2,700 pascals (Pa), it efficiently picked up all the debris we scattered (rice and flour) and all visible pet hair. (For a more in-depth discussion of pascals, read the Suction Power section that appears after our product reviews.) Once the RoboRock had methodically cleaned every inch of exposed flooring, it automatically returned to its charging station and emptied itself into the canister bag, saving us the trouble of manual cleaning.

The RoboRock Q5+ boasts advanced features such as PreciSense LiDAR Navigation and a Sensient Sensor Array, so when it approached the top of the stairs, it detected the drop-off, stopped, and turned around. The wheels did not leave scuff marks or scratches on our hardwood floor. It comes with two dust bags, with the manufacturer claiming that one bag can hold up to 7 weeks of dust.

While we were able to sync the app to Alexa, it’s not required to run the RoboRock—and we actually found it more user-friendly to use the smartphone app. A small downside is that it operates only on 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) Wi-Fi. Folks whose wireless network runs on only 5 Ghz won’t be able to run this vacuum.

Overall, we found the RoboRock Q5+ to be a reliable and efficient cleaning companion, although it’s a bit pricier than competitive models.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: No
• Self-emptying: Yes

Pros

• At 3.78 inches high, the RoboRock can navigate under several pieces of large furniture
• Advanced sensor technology effectively maps out rooms and keeps the vacuum from tumbling down the stairs
• Hands-free dustbin self-empties each time it returns to the dock, so vacuum is ready to go again

Cons

• Only syncs with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; not compatible with 5 GHz networks
• Not suitable for high-pile shag rugs and carpeting

Get the RoboRock robot vacuum at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Looking for a robot vacuum that won’t break the bank? This affordable model features a patented three-stage cleaning system and dual multisurface brushes to grab dirt from carpets and hard floors. Equipped with a full suite of sensors and just 3.54 inches high and 13.4 inches in diameter, the machine can clean under open-leg chairs and sofas without getting stuck. An Edge Sweeping brush handles corners while Cliff Detect keeps it from falling down stairs.

The iRobot Roomba 675 learns a user’s cleaning habits and can automatically create a customized cleaning schedule. The iRobot Home app will also suggest extra cleanings when the pollen count is high or during pet-shedding season. Boasting both Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, it can start a cleaning session with voice commands.

The Dirt Detect sensor alerts the robot to tough cleaning areas, and the vacuum will tackle them thoroughly. It can operate for up to 90 minutes on a full charge and, when the battery runs low or the job is complete, the vacuum automatically returns to dock in its recharging station.

If an entry-level Roomba model is the goal, this is the one to pick. While the brand is known for its more expensive robots, this one is priced within reach. We were impressed not only with the smartphone app but also the suction. The dirt cup filled quite quickly, removing flour, pet hair, and kibble from the floor.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: No
• Self-emptying: No

Pros

• Very large brush roll integrated into the design; suitable for carpets as well as hard flooring
• Senses and eliminates areas with challenging amounts of dirt, pet hair, and other debris
• Reasonably priced considering its features and particularly good at cleaning cat and dog hair

Cons

• Not self-emptying and removing the dirt bin is a bit tricky; may take a learning curve

Get the iRobot Roomba 675 robot vacuum at Target or Amazon.

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.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: No
• Self-emptying: Yes

Pros

• User-friendly app connects seamlessly with 2.4 or 5 GHz home wireless networks
• Methodical cleaning pattern effectively captures debris, leaving hard floors and rugs clean
• The self-emptying feature makes for a hassle-free cleaning experience
• Odor-neutralizing pod in the charging base provides a fresh scent to the base and the room

Cons

• Eco mode is not quite strong enough to pick up pet hair on carpeting

Get the Shark robot vacuum at Amazon, Target, or Best Buy.

With the advanced features of the Ecovac 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 Ecovac 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.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: Yes
• Self-emptying: Yes

Pros

• Functions effectively as both a powerful vacuum and a high-quality robot mop
• Automatically cleans its own scrubbing pads and self-empties the dustbin
• Spacious dustbin holds up to 70 days’ worth of dust, reducing bag replacement
• Efficient floor mapping capabilities and obstacle avoidance for better performance

Cons

• Heavy weight at 40-plus pounds limits portability and may require a permanent setup location

Get the Ecovac robot vacuum at Amazon.

Neither carpeting nor low furniture can stop the Eufy by Anker G30 Edge. Its slim 2.85-inch-tall design fits under most furniture, while its large wheels ease transitions from hard flooring to low- or medium-pile carpeting. The Path Tracking Sensor ensures that the G30 Edge adapts to surface changes while taking the most efficient route to clean each room. Five included cable ties help keep wires and power cords out of the robot’s way. It features a 100-minute runtime—not as long as some of the other models we tested, but ample time to clean most small living areas.

An advanced brushless motor significantly reduces noise. Nine built-in infrared sensors ensure the G30 Edge remains aware of its surroundings, detects preset boundaries, and only cleans predesignated areas. Its 2,000 Pa of suction power delivers noticeably clean floors.

Users may control the G30 Edge with their voice via Alexa or Google Assistant. Helpful voice prompts indicate the robot vac’s current status and guide users through any problems that may occur. An app keeps track of its cleaning history.

While this vacuum showed impressive suction during testing, it had an odd movement pattern with grand diagonal sweeps. It also ran into larger obstacles, like a cardboard box and a sheepskin rug on the floor. However, it transitioned well between different types of flooring including hardwoods, carpet in the hallway, and an area rug in the living room. Still, the G30 Edge is an ideal choice for anyone with multiple types of flooring, especially if they are in a small space.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: No
• Self-emptying: No

Pros

• Dynamic infrared navigation system integrated; remains aware of its surroundings, detects preset boundaries, and only cleans predesignated areas
• Impressive suction power compared to other vacuums on this list
• Transitions well between various types of flooring for ample versatility

Cons

• Not suitable for high-pile carpets and very dark-colored floors

Get the Eufy by Anker G30 Edge robot vacuum at The Home Depot or Walmart.

The Eufy Clean X8 Pro is a formidable competitor in the robot vacuum realm, with a user-friendly app that made for easy connection to our wireless network. Its high-level suction power quickly picked up pet hair from our carpet, a task that usually requires two or three passes with a stick vacuum. At first, the X8 Pro skipped some rice at the edge of an area rug, but after vacuuming the adjacent room, it came back and picked up those errant grains, ultimately collecting all the flour and rice we spread out for testing before returning to its charging station.

Not only does the X8 Pro self-empty after vacuuming, but it also features a reverse-spin technology that effectively untangles any hair from its roller brush. Its dustbin bag has an up-to-45-day capacity (in a home with one pet) and features an antimicrobial bag.

In addition to powerful vacuum suction, the X8 Pro features light mopping action. It doesn’t suck up dirty water, however, so we found it best suited to floors that were already fairly clean and just needed a quick sprucing up.

The X8 Pro’s long runtime of up to 180 minutes makes it a good pick for large floor plans. This robot vacuum was also among the quietest we tested. Even the cats seemed more curious than perturbed! Indeed, one of our felines decided to lie on the test floor in the path of the X8 Pro. We hurried to pick her up to avoid a tangled fur situation, but we needn’t have worried; the robot vacuum must have sensed an object in its path because it came within about an inch of her tail and then reversed course.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: Yes
• Self-emptying: Yes

Pros

• Powerful suction effectively picks up various types of debris as well as pet hair
• Self-emptying and reverse-spin roller technology cleans the vacuum and removes pet hair from roller
• Dual-function robot vacuum also performs light mopping on hard floors
• Remarkably quiet operation minimizes disturbances to humans and pets while cleaning

Cons

• Light mopping does not suck up dirty water, so it is best suited to reasonably clean floors

Get the Eufy Clean X8 robot vacuum at Amazon.

With a high-efficiency filter that traps 99 percent of cat and dog dander allergens, Alexa compatibility, and dual multisurface rubber brushes, this robot vacuum is perfect for homes with pets. It proved powerful enough to suck up pieces of errant kibble and cleaned deeply embedded pet hair from an area rug. However, our most serious messes required more than one go-around. Another pet-worthy plus is this model’s Keep Out Zones, which help it avoid sensitive areas, such as pet food bowls or areas where a puppy or kitten might be sleeping.

It does run a bit loud, however, and when it comes to large objects, it takes one or two tries before learning to avoid them. This model pairs easily with the app, which allows users to create a schedule, check the battery level, and more.

Product Specs 

• Smart: Yes
• Mop: No
• Self-emptying: No

Pros

• High-efficiency filter traps 99 percent of pet dander and allergens
• Works with Alexa for automated cleaning and hands-free use
• Recharges and resumes as needed based on the customizable presets

Cons

• Runs a bit loud; may not be suitable around noise-sensitive pets or nighttime vacuuming

Get the iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.