The whooshing sounds last for only five to 10 seconds, but it was shocking the first time it happened. Just keep that in mind if you ever decide to run the robot at night when others are sleeping. In 2020, iRobot introduced its most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin to date, the $599 Roomba i3+. Since then, iRobot and its competitors have steadily released new self-emptying robot vacuums, and the pricing on these models has been coming down.
Otherwise, the Roomba j7 did a good job sucking up dirt and debris around my apartment and it didn’t make too much noise while doing so. All of the robo-vacs I tested at this mid-range level had roughly the same level of suction, so there wasn’t a big difference between them when it came to cleaning power. Self-emptying robot vacuums have existed for about a decade, but they didn’t really take off until iRobot introduced the Roomba i7+ in 2018.
TheRoomba 614 is the most basic vacuum model that is currently offered by Roomba. Coming in at an affordable price, this model has a simple design for easy usability and no-fuss add-ons. TheRoomba 690 has been a staple of Roomba’s budget lineup for several years. The 690 has wifi connectivity, allowing you to start, stop, or schedule cleaning cycles from your smartphone.
If you’ve considered purchasing, or you have bought, a cordless stick vacuum in the past decade, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Shark. They’ve put out more than a hundred vacuums, from uprights designed for pets to the popular and portable Shark WANDVAC. Mapping can be controlled via your phone with the Samsung SmartThings App. Remotely check the Jet Bot+’s cleaning status, pause or stop cleaning and view the cleaning history.
If you plan to use your robot vacuum to target just one room, such as a living room that houses the dog bed , then a shorter battery life might suffice. While all of our top recommendations have a battery life of at least 90 minutes, if you want a model with extra longevity, the Narwal Freo Versatile Self Mop Clean Robot offers a 210-minute running time. But the real star of this vacuum’s design is its simultaneous vacuum and mop capabilities.
The Roomba s9+ is admittedly overkill for most people – but it’s nothing if not one of the best robot vacuums out there. The s9+ is the biggest but also the most attractive robo-vac I tried, with a corner-friendly design, copper accents and a 1.5-foot tall clean base. The setup was quick and easy, with the machine taking only a few minutes to connect to my home’s WiFi and the iRobot app. With the app-controlled, WiFi-enabled Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL, you can set it and forget it for up to 30 days.
These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out. This compact Eufy vac is an easy choice for small spaces and low-profile furniture. You won’t get smart mapping at this price point, of course, but current 25C owners are impressed with its navigation when it comes to furniture and walls. That said, the Roborock app isn’t nearly as polished as those from iRobot, Shark and others.
While the full manual is available online, the enclosed quick start guide aided in a speedy assembly process in our lab. You can also buy this robot vacuum without the self-emptying shark dustbuster bin for $430. If you clean your house as I do, room by room, and don’t find using your hands to empty bins to be completely disgusting , then it’s a fine way to save some cash.