Before you buy a robot vacuum, check these 6 things: navigation, suction, obstacle avoidance, height, self-emptying base and mopping. Then pick from our 3 choices for every budget, for pets, carpets and hardwood floors.
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LiDAR (the small tower on top) maps your home and cleans in neat rows, even in the dark. Camera navigation is smart too but needs light. Random “bump & go” models are cheaper but miss spots and take longer.
A higher suction number (in Pa) isn’t always worth paying for. Mostly hardwood or tile? Mid-range suction is enough. Carpets or pet hair? Go higher and look for automatic carpet boost.
Cables, socks, kids’ toys, pet accidents… Basic models only sense walls and stairs. If your floor isn’t always clear, look for AI or camera-based obstacle avoidance.
Measure the space under your sofa and bed, then compare it with the robot’s height. Check the maximum threshold it can climb: door sills, rug edges.
You empty a bag every few weeks instead of a small bin every day. A real plus if someone at home has allergies, since dust stays sealed in the bag.
A mop that stays down will wet your rugs. Choose a robot vacuum and mop that lifts its mop on carpets, or that can be set to avoid them.
Look for strong suction with automatic carpet boost, rubber or anti-tangle brushes, and AI obstacle avoidance to steer around pet accidents. In our picks, the eufy HydroJet (best overall) and the Roborock Saros 10R (premium) are the strongest fits for homes with pets.
LiDAR maps your home accurately and works in the dark. Camera navigation can also recognize objects but needs light. The best models combine mapping with a camera or 3D sensors for obstacle avoidance.
Yes, for most homes. You empty a sealed bag every few weeks instead of a small bin every day, which is cleaner and better for allergies. Check the cost of replacement bags.
Most handle low and medium-pile carpet well. For thick carpet, choose higher suction with carpet boost, and a mop that lifts or a carpet-avoid setting if the robot also mops.
Measure the gap under your sofa and bed and compare it with the robot’s height on the product page. Also check the maximum threshold it can climb for door sills and rug edges.