If you’re used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely. You also might want to consider a model that can empty its own dustbin. Models with this feature typically cost big bucks, but it means you never have to shark dustbuster come into close contact with collected pet hair and dust. With most other robot vacuums, you have to empty the dustbin after every cleaning. This small, practically silent robot is an ideal inexpensive option for a cozy apartment or to use as a second bot for an upstairs space or home office.
But unlike most of its competitors, the Roomba i3 EVO is actually a sturdy, repairable appliance—and although longevity is never guaranteed, you can reasonably expect to own and use it regularly for years. It’s also better at cleaning rugs than most other bots, and hair doesn’t get tangled in its brushes as quickly. With the companion app and a Wi-Fi connection, you can remotely turn the robot on or off and optionally set an automatic cleaning schedule. The downside is that it doesn’t work quite as fast as some competing models. The main drawback here is the lack of premium Roomba features (like an obstacle-detecting camera or super-powerful suction) and the loud volume of the vacuum as it’s cleaning. Compared to the other models on the list, this one is definitely the most obtrusive in terms of sound.
Robot vacuums simplify your life and give you more time to spend doing things you love. Sign up for a BJ’s Membership to further streamline your life and save money on your purchases. I’m PCMag’s expert on fitness and smart home technology, and I’ve written more than 6,000 articles and reviews in the 10-plus years I’ve been here. I unbox, set up, test, shark canister vacuum and review a wide range of consumer tech products from my home in Florida, often with the help of my pitbull Bradley. I’m also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader’s Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications.
When you want to empty the base, part of it snaps off and opens to eject debris, and it easily locks back in place when you return it. Not only is this quite convenient, but it also brings the lifetime cost of ownership down since you won’t be buying special bags every few months. The Samsung POWERbot R7040 Robot Vacuum, Shark IQ UR1005AE Self-Empty Robotic Vacuum and the ECOVACS DEEBOT 900 Smart Robotic Vacuum Cleaner are some of the best robot vacuums.
And for an even deeper clean, take a look at the best robot mops we’ve tested. On this list, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI has the best battery with an impressive run time of 170 minutes in testing, though any result over 90 minutes should suit most households. Bissell’s SpinWave Wet and Dry robot can both vacuum and scrub your floors to make them truly shine.
Shark’s non-laser robots are reasonably priced and look great on paper but are just okay in the real world. They’re also pretty loud on bare floors, sounding sort of like a two-stroke lawn mower puttering in the distance. To their credit, they seem to be strong cleaners, particularly on bare floors. As well as saving on this maintenance, self-emptying bases are a good investment if you suffer from allergies.
It’s not a cheap investment either, but it’s good-looking and we can’t complain about the range of features. If you want a hand with keeping your floors clean, one of the best robot vacuums can help. These appliances come in all shapes and sizes, with prices ranging substantially, but how can you tell you’re getting the best option for your home?