How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum
A bargain-priced robot vacuum is a great value. However, it can cost more than you anticipated in terms of maintenance: removing the fur from brushes, blocking inlets, and emptying tiny dust bins can quickly turn your dream of automating cleaning to be a chore.
The iRobot j7 Combo is the best value robot for a lot of people. It provides the exact hands-off performance for only a fraction of the cost.
Suction Power
Certain models in this range have enough suction to do basic vacuuming. Others might require the use of a handheld nozzle for deeper cleaning. A budget robot vacuum will likely do the job well if you live in an apartment with primarily hard floors. However, if the floors are different surfaces and there are carpets, or have pets that shed, a more capable model will provide the best results for the price.
Some budget models come with mopping capabilities and a water tank, increasing their flexibility. The more recent Dyson R7050C for instance, has excellent scores in CR's tests of navigation and a generous bin of 770ml, but it is louder than many of the other robots we've tested and doesn't have mopping features. The smaller Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro, in contrast, is quite quiet and has an automatic emptying dock. It also comes with water tank, powerful 5,500-pascal suction power and a large bin that you can fill with cleaning solution to make it a more efficient mopping machine. The Q5 Pro can be controlled by the smart app which lets you mop or vacuum a room, sequence of rooms, or an entire area. You can also establish no-go zones and customize suction settings for each room.
robot vacuum cleaners is a great choice for those seeking an affordable, basic device that is reliable. It's not as sophisticated as the other models we test and comes with a basic app and basic mapping capabilities, but it offers excellent navigation and cleaning capabilities. It's also one of only few robots that differentiate between carpets and hard flooring. The 300ml dustbin is only emptying once every 30 days.
Consider some of the premium models in this price range if you want something more sophisticated that can vacuum mop, vacuum, and even create a map to help you avoid obstacles. The iRobot Roomba 650/750 has a powerful suction, clever combs to remove pet hair and dust, and it can be controlled through your smart home assistant. Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 offers a excellent cleaning performance for a reasonable price.
Navigation Efficiency
A low-cost robot vacuum can be just as effective as the more expensive models as long as it is able to navigate your home and avoid obstacles. To measure the effectiveness of navigation, our lab technicians set up a tracking device to watch a robot's movement through a multiroom test home and evaluate its ability to find the areas it has to clean in a specific amount of time, avoiding pitfalls like rug cords, power cables and furniture. Additionally, we examine how fast robots can move over various terrains used in the home including stairways as well as transitions between different types of floor.
The best budget robot vacuums feature efficient navigation systems that aid in helping them clean a room without wasting time, crashing through obstacles, or getting stuck. Most feature mapping capabilities, which are crucial for a complete house cleaning. Even budget models without mapping can cover a room efficiently. It's important to weigh the cost of your machine against the features that you need.
We also look at how easily a robot can traverse thresholds within the home, such as the heights of a door's sill or a sofa. A good budget-friendly robot must be able to pass over these obstacles, and some have settings that can alter suction power according to floor types. We also consider whether the robot is compatible with smart home technology and is able to be controlled remotely through an app or voice command.
The iLife V3s Pro is a fantastic example of a robot that is budget-friendly that offers basic mapping capabilities, as well as other intelligent features. It's also very affordable. It is controlled by the iRobot app, and has an auto-return feature which returns it to its original location when the battery is exhausted, then resumes where it began.
The iLife V3s Pro doesn't have the advanced object avoidance that you find on numerous premium robots, however it does have a live camera that transmits an unreliable video feed to your smartphone so that you can watch the robot as it performs. The cameras can also spot obstacles like stairs and other steps and alert you if the robot comes across them. The iLife, however, uses random navigation instead of a method designed to prevent objects from being stuck against furniture legs. It may not be able get through a tight space or chair leg as well as a robotic system with mapping capabilities.
Cleaning Performance
When you're searching for a robot vacuum, it's crucial to balance cost with performance. There are models that aren't as expensive and don't include advanced features such as mapping, but you can find some that excel at cleaning your home. Be aware of the size and capacity of the robot's dustbin. It should be able to accommodate all the waste that robots accumulate including hair dirt, pet dander.
You'll also want a robot vacuum that is able to remove staining from carpets. We test every model in the ZDNET robot vacuum chart to determine their ability to remove dirt and hair off carpet. The best ones have a special brush designed to dig into the carpet fibers and remove dirt.
best home vacuum cleaner are effective in getting rid of small messes on plain floors or low-pile floor carpets, but they struggle to get rid of bigger pet hairs and debris from higher-pile carpets. They tend to have less powerful suction than higher-end models however, they still do a an excellent job of cleaning up debris from tight spaces such as corners and underneath furniture.
The iLife V3s Pro vacuum cleaner is the best vacuum for its price range. It has a high score in our tests and it's able to remove hairs and dirt from carpets. It is also one of our quieter models, and is simple to use. It has an opening for suction that scoops debris rather than pushing it through the bar, and it can adjust power to match the surface. It also has a side brush with three bristles that push hair and debris in the direction of the robot, however it doesn't do as good as it does in picking up fine dust.
Look for a model with mop and vacuum functions, like the Combo j9 Plus. It is able to simultaneously vacuum and mop, and it is possible to define specific vac/mop setting for each room. It's more expensive compared to other low-cost robots in our list however, it has the advantages of having a forward-facing camera that allows more precise mapping and better obstacles to avoid for things like power cords and cat poop.
Maintenance
Robot vacuums are useful, but they come at costs. Regular maintenance is essential, from emptying the dustbin to changing filters and cleaning their brush bar. They can also get caught in cords and fall off the stairs, which is why they must be watched attentively.
The most affordable robot vacuums minimize these hassles by requiring minimal management from the user. Top picks are equipped with navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles and stay clear of hazards such as electrical cords and food items that have been dropped. They also make use of a mix of sensors to map rooms and build maps that show the areas they've cleaned before to ensure they don't re-clean the same areas repeatedly.
Even the cheapest robotic vacuums can give a decent clean if you give them a shot and don't be put off by the cost of higher-end models. Our top picks for budget-friendly models are from the top OEMs like iRobot Roborock Dreame. You can be sure that they have been designed with care and are built to last.
If you're willing to invest more, think about investing in mopping machines. They can use a moist cloth across floors to scrub them and help eliminate stubborn stains, and can be used with a specialized mop pad for difficult jobs such as dried coffee.
There are a number of mopping robots featured in our roundup however the most affordable model is the TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus. It has the clean, fussless appearance of a home hub but the features and performance of a top robovac that includes LiDAR navigation. In our tests it was able to navigate without a hitch. RV30 was able to navigate without hitting furniture and build detailed floor plans that it can use for future runs. It's the only budget robot we've tested that include this feature, although iRobot's Roomba offers similar mapping capabilities with an in-app setup that walks you through the process step-by-step.
No matter if you opt for an expensive robot vacuum or a cheaper option, always remember to keep your robovac in good condition. It is a good idea to empty the dust bin after each cleaning task and to clean the filter, if it has one (check the manual of your owner or the manufacturer's site for more details). Replace the battery when required and test its Wi-Fi connectivity.