Let’s be honest: A lot of new devices are meant to stoke desire for something that you never even knew you wanted. (A tiny keyboard? Yes, please! A DNA test for your cat? Purrrr-fect!) But if you’re shopping for the best robot vacuum cleaner, it’s usually because you really, really need one. Whether you’re drowning in dog hair, need to lighten your chore load, or just want to spend a little more time with your family, these robot vacuums should help.
Be sure to check out our many other guides, including the best air purifiers, fitness watches, and stuff for your dog.
Updated November 2019: We added several new picks, such as the Roomba S9+, added new information, and cut a few older units.
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Photograph: Shark
The Best Overall
Shark IQ Robot With Base
Once you’ve tried a robot vacuum with a self-emptying bin, you can’t go back. The Wi-Fi-enabled Shark IQ bot has some hiccups, but it’s relatively affordable and has a self-emptying bin, which you’ll love. In Shark’s app, you can also enable Alexa, schedule cleanings, establish no-go zones on a floor map, and change the cleaning mode.
The Shark IQ will dock to unload the bin according to a pre-established algorithm, which usually worked out to twice an hour in my dog-hairy, kid-crumbly house. It also has nifty extras, like a self-cleaning roller brush. The bot did have trouble establishing a working floor map, and the cliff sensors often got tripped up on my kitchen step. However, it’s worth it, just to not have to empty a dust bin every day.
Amazon
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Photograph: iRobot
Best in Class
iRobot Roomba S9+
iRobot consistently puts out the best, and most expensive, robot vacuums available. For stellar, fuss-free performance, the Roomba S9+ is in a league of its own (9/10, WIRED Recommends). This year, iRobot added a 3D sensor that scans its path 25 times a second, adding up to a staggering 230,400 data points per second to keep the Roomba S9+ from getting stuck.
That’s in addition to a self-emptying bin with a sensor in the dust bin, a rubber roller brush that scrubs up low-pile carpet, unbelievable edging capabilities, a proprietary corner brush, infallible smart maps with no-go zones, and the ability to link to your iRobot mop. If you want the best, you have to get this botvac.
Amazon
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Eufy
Best Cheap Robot Vac
Eufy 11S Max
If you’re looking for a slim, effective, and attractive robotic vac that won’t break the bank, the Eufy 11S Max is your best option. It has 2 kilopascals of suction power, making it more powerful than many older push vacuums. Improved infrared and drop sensors means that it won’t have any trouble making its way around your house. I don’t like bounce navigation, which makes the bot sorta Ping-Pong off your home’s walls instead of navigating via an online map. But if you don’t want to pair yet another device to your phone, bounce tech might be right for you.
A Wi-Fi version, the RoboVac 15C, is currently on Amazon for $250, and a version with a larger dust bin is available for $280.
Amazon
