Investing in one of the best robot vacuums can revolutionize your cleaning routine. They're perfect for taking care of regular vacuuming (and increasingly, mopping too) with next-to-no effort from you, and you can set them to run when you're out of the house, for minimal disruption.
The market ranges from ultra-simple to extremely capable, with price tags to match, so it's important to pick the right one for your needs. I'm here to help with that. TechRadar's testers have been reviewing robot vacuums since 2015. We've tested 75 robot vacuums in total, including 25 new models in 2024. I've use our in-depth reviews to compare different models and put together this ranking.
Right now, the best robot vacuum on the market is the Eufy X10 Pro Omni. On test, this combination robot vacuum and mop was almost perfect, acing our cleaning tests and delivering accurate navigation too. However, it won't be perfect for everyone, so read on for a range of options for different needs and budgets. And if you want to supplement your robovac with a manual model for stairs and deep cleans, head to TechRadar's best cordless vacuum cleaner guide.
Ruth is a Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has been reviewing consumer tech for over three years. She's spent the past year focusing on home appliances, and floor cleaners in particular.
1 May 2025: The Xiaomi X20+ has been added in as our top UK budget choice.
Today's best robot vacuums – as tested by experts
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The best robot vacuum overall
✅ You have carpet in your home: We were very impressed with this model's suction powers, which is great news if you need something that can pull dust from carpet.
✅ You want something that mops well: The X10 Pro Omni's mops had no problem with tricky cleaning tasks like sticky sauces and dried-on sugary drinks.
❌ You don't need a mop: There's no vacuum-only version of this particular model, so if you don't need the mopping capabilities, look elsewhere in the list.
❌ You're short on space: The X10 Pro Omni has a large base station that you'll need to make room for.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni is the best robot vacuum for most people. This self-empty robot vacuum and mop checks pretty much all our boxes. The suction power is excellent, pulling all kinds of debris, fluff and hair and fluff out of our tester's carpet (although it did flick larger debris about rather than sucking it up – a problem with almost all robovacs). It's relatively quiet in all but it's very highest vacuum setting, too.
With some 2-in-1 robovacs, the mopping is a bit of an afterthought, but the Eufy X10 Pro Omni has rotating pads that press down for a more thorough clean on hard floors. On test, it had no trouble at all cleaning a dried-on sugary drink and sticky sauce, automatically choosing the right amount of water for the job. (If you want even more impressive mopping, check out the Eureka J20 at #7, which has a roller mop that supplies continuous fresh water, and siphons off the dirty stuff as it cleans.)
The app is easy to use and functions well. Our reviewer was also very impressed with the mapping – the X10 accurately mapped their apartment on its first exploratory outing – as well as the navigation and obstacle avoidance. However, they did note that the Eufy X10 Pro Omni could occasionally get stuck trying to get over high room thresholds.
The dock station is a little on the larger side, but looks pretty stylish, and houses the water tanks and extra dustbin that allow this robovac to self-empty and (in the case of water) refill, minimizing the need for hands-on time. Overall, an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs.
Alternatives
There are no other X10 models in the Eufy range, so you can't choose, for example, a version without mopping or with a more basic dock. There is a more advanced option: the Eufy Omni S1 Pro which adds improved obstacle avoidance, automatic detergent dispensing, and swaps the spinning mop pads for a roller that's fed by a constant supply of fresh water. It's significantly more expensive, though.
Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | Well made and nicely designed. Robot is on the taller side. | 4/5 |
Performance | On test, demonstrated impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities, as well as strong navigation skills. | 4/5 |
Value | Premium, but far from the most expensive option here, and well priced for what you're getting. | 4/5 |
The best robot vacuum for pet hair
✅ You have pets: This bot tackled the hair in our reviewer's pet-filled home incredibly well – and better than any other robovac they'd tested .
✅ You want a hands-off dock: The dock will empty dust (into a larger than usual dock dustbin), refill water, dispense detergent and even wash and dry the mop pads, so there's minimal effort required from you.
❌ You're on a budget: This is a premium robovac, and while we think the performance justifies the price, there are cheaper alternatives if it's out of your budget.
❌ You're short on space: The dock is pretty massive, and the styling won't be to everyone's taste.
Not all robovacs can handle the extra challenge posed by lots of pet hair, but one that really impressed on this front was the Dreame L40 Ultra. This bot was put through its paces in a home filled with furry, four-legged friends, and really rose to the occasion. The impressive suction pulled huge volumes of hair from carpet, and handled hard floors extremely well too. We had no issues with the hair clogging the self-empty mechanism, and a larger-than-usual dock dustbin also means you won't need to replace the dust bags too frequently.
The mopping is also a cut above average. On test, we found the rotating pads very effective – great news if you're regularly dealing with muddy pawprints. The does-it-all dock will take care of refilling the bot's water tank, dispensing cleaning fluid, and cleaning and drying its mop pads, too, meaning minimal hands-on time from you. That might feel like overkill, but if you're planning to use the L40 Ultra regularly then it's going to save you a significant amount of time and effort.
Opertating this robovac is nice and straightforward too. We found the app easy to use, with useful customization options. And the bot itself mapped our reviewer's home quickly and accurately, then proved reliable at object avoidance on test, too.
This isn't a cheap bot, and while I think the featureset and performance justify the price, it'll be out of budget for some. We have more affordable options in our roundup of the best robot vacuums for pet hair – although be aware that if you really want something up to the task, you will likely need to spend a bit more. And a capable robot vacuum could really be worth the investment if you're finding it tricky to stay on top on manual cleaning.
Alternatives
If you're on a tighter budget, we really rated the Yeedi C12 Pro Plus for tackling pet hair. Also worth checking out in the mid-range price bracket is the Shark Matrix Plus robovac.
Read our full Dreame L40 Ultra review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | A well-designed hybrid robovac with features for tackling edges. Dock does is comprehensive, but is bulky. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Impressive vacuuming and mopping, and outstanding at handling pet hair in particular. | 5/5 |
Value | Premium, but decent value given the features and performance. Worth the investment for pet owners who want something for regular use. | 4.5/5 |
The best budget robot vacuum cleaner in the US
✅ You're on a budget: The Narwal Freo X Plus delivers a lot for a very reasonable price.
✅ You just want to do whole-home cleans: It can struggle with more specific instructions, but it has no problem with regular whole-home cleans.
❌ You're dealing with lots of dust: There's no self-empty on the dock, and the small onboard bin will fill up quickly if you're dealing with lots of dirt or hair.
❌ You want high levels of control: This robovac doesn't always do exactly as its told when it comes to more complex instructions.
❌ You're in the UK: Our top cheap UK pick is the Xiaomi at #4.
Many of today's best robot vacuums are pretty pricey, but if you're on a tighter budget, check out the Narwal Freo X Plus. Where it really shines is its vacuuming performance. It packs 7,800Pa of suction, which is more in line with what I'd expect in a much pricier model than one on the cusp between budget and mid-range. Our tester ran it in a house with two French Bulldogs and four adult humans, and found it got the floors impressively clean, picking up everything from fine dust to larger debris, and tackling hair very well too. Two side brushes mean it's able to pick up debris on either side of it, too.
The mopping less impressive, but still good enough to be a useful addition (for really good mopping you'll need to stump up a bit more). Other benefits include voice assistant support, and a very neat and compact base station.
It's not perfect. Our tester found it struggled to follow more specific commands. However, it works fine if you just set it to clean your whole space in the most thorough way possible, so if that's your main plan for it, then it's still a solid recommendation.
The pay-off of the small base station is that it can't self empty, so you'll need to take a trip to the trash every time the small onboard bin gets full. It'll be fine for smaller homes or light cleaning, but might be annoying if you're regularly dealing with lots of dirt or pet hair.
Alternatives
For even cheaper options, head to TechRadar's best budget robot vacuum guide. If you're in the UK, our favorite budget model is the outstanding Xiaomi X20+. Or if you're hunting for something even cheaper (in the US or UK), check out our Eufy RoboVac 11S review a straightforward robovac that punches above its price tag.
Read our full Narwal Freo X Plus review
Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Price | On the boundary between budget and mid-range, and great value for a combo vac-mop. | 4/5 |
Design | Compact base station with no self-empty. Two side brushes but a rudimentary mop pad. | 4/5 |
Performance | Very good at vacuuming and fine at mopping. Doesn't always follow specific commands. | 3.5/5 |
The best budget robot vacuum in the UK
✅ You're on a budget: The X20+ sits in the budget price bracket, and delivers an awful lot for that very affordable price.
✅ You have hard floor to mop: With dual spinning mop pads and a dock that can clean and dry them, this bot shines when it comes to hard floors.
❌ You're short on space: The dock is large and unattractive, so you'll want somewhere out of the way to store it.
❌ You live in the US: The X20+ can be found in the US, but it's more expensive. Check out the Narwal at #3 instead.
Bargain-hunting shoppers in the UK should seek out the Xiaomi X20+. This budget robot vacuum offers incredible value – our tester was blown away by what you're getting for your money here. As well as solid suction specs and excellent cleaning powers, you're getting a whole raft of features that you just never see at this price point.
For starters, there are dual spinning mop pads rather than the single, fixed pad that's more common on cheaper robovacs. This style of mop tends to be far more effective at agitating dirt, and we were impressed with this bot's mopping powers in our testing. The pads will also automatically lift when they reach carpet, too (although they fail to identify some of our tester's very thin rugs).
On the mopping front, the dock will take care of a lot of the required maintenance for you; refilling the water tank and washing and drying the mop pads. You'll usually need to shell out a lot more for such a comprehensive clean station... although do note that it's large and not so attractive, so you'll want to make sure you have somewhere out-of-the-way to store it.
Some budget robovacs can fall down when it comes to navigation, but not so the X20+, which found its way around our reviewer's home with ease and confidence.
Alternatives
US shoppers should check out the Narwal at #3. – while the X20+ can be purchased in the US via Amazon, the pricing is much higher than in the UK. Another excellent, budget-friendly bot to consider is the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2. It's less fully featured than the X20+ – especially when it comes to the mop function – but is great at the basics.
Read our full Xiaomi X20+ review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | Well-designed bot with dual mop pads, plus comprehensive but bulky and ugly base station. | 4/5 |
Performance | Excellent navigation, very good vacuuming and mopping. | 4.5/5 |
Value | Budget bracket, and offers features more common in premium bots. | 5/5 |
The best premium robot vacuum
✅ You want a truly autonomous robovac: This premium robot vacuum can be relied upon to take care of itself.
✅ You have tall thresholds: The Curv is great at scaling tall steps, and on test it very rarely got stuck.
❌ You're on a budget: There are plenty of cheaper bots that'll do a good enough job for many people's needs.
❌ You've got lots of low furniture: The raised puck makes this a taller option in Roborock's range.
If you have cash to splash and want the best of the best, Roborock is the brand to browse, and we rate the Roborock Qrevo Curv as the best premium robot vacuum you can buy right now. This hybrid robot vacuum-and-mop offers outstanding vacuuming, soaring through all our suction tests and proving more than a match for our reviewer's pet hair-covered carpets. Navigation is excellent and this bot can also be relied upon to identify and avoid obstacles as required, meaning you can leave it to do its own thing without having to worry about it getting stuck or trying to suction up something it shouldn't. On test we also found it was great at hosting itself over tall thresholds.
The mopping is a cut above average, and the space-age looking curvy dock takes care of the mopping maintenance tasks including refilling the bot's onboard tank and washing and drying its mop pads. (You will need to supplement this with the occasional deeper clean, but that's unavoidable.)
An easy-to-use app offers you plenty of control, should you want it. Plus, you can use it for advanced functions such as a Pet Patrol mode, where you can ask the bot to find your furry friends while you're out, and even let you talk to them via the onboard mic and speaker.
That level of smarts means a high price tag, although our tester felt it was justified by the build quality and featureset. If you're looking for a truly autonomous cleaning solution, the Roborock Qrevo Curv will deliver.
Alternatives
We've been impressed with all of Roborock's recent launches, and most pack similarly advanced features and reliable performance. If you have low-sitting furniture, the Roborock Saros 10R or Roborock Qrevo Slim would be a better choice as both use an innovative new navigation system that doesn't require a raised puck. Alternatively, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra picked up a TechRadar award, and might attract discounts now it's not quite the hottest new thing.
Read our full Roborock Qrevo Curv review
Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Value | Premium price, but justified by high spec and impressive featureset. | 4/5 |
Design | High-end design, and does-it-all dock. Plenty of features geared towards precise, hands-off cleaning. | 5/5 |
Performance | Exceptional vacuuming and very good mopping, plus reliable mapping and navigation. | 4.5/5 |
The best small robot vacuum
✅ You don't have much space: The SwitchBot is very tiny, and can get into tight spaces that others can't. The dock is also compact for a self-empty option.
✅ You want a self-empty bot: The dock has a large dust bag, and self-empties – if you don't need that, charge-only docks are much smaller.
❌ You want something that mops well: The mopping here is just dragging a wet wipe across the floor, and not worth bothering with.
❌ You have space for a bigger robovac: You're paying a premium for the size here – there are bigger, better-performing bots in this bracket.
If you're looking specifically for a small robot vacuum, our top pick is the SwitchBot K10+ Pro. The bot itself is very compact, measuring 9.76" / 24.8cm in diameter and 3.62" / 9.2cm in height. That pint-sized design packs in some impressive tech, including intelligent room-mapping and some of the speediest navigation our tester had ever seen. The benefit of the dinky size is that this bot can reach places bigger bots can't, and on test we found it navigated confidently around furniture legs and into tight spaces.
The dock is also very compact for a self-empty model. The interior space is mostly given over to a larger-than-normal dust bag, which means you won't be bothered by the tiny onboard bin. (It's worth highlighting that if you don't need self-emptying, charge-only docks are considerably smaller again.)
There are some downsides, though. The suction power is low for the price bracket – in fact, generally, you're paying a premium for the small size here. The mopping is also so basic as to be not really worth bothering with; the robovac just drags a wet wipe across your floor. On test it also sometimes struggled to clear thresholds of over 2cm.
If your priority is size, though, this is a solid choice. Our reviewer felt it would be a great choice as an 'upstairs' robot vacuum, away from the tougher challenges of kitchens and living rooms.
Alternatives
If you just want something that's shallow in profile for getting beneath furniture, look for a robovac without a raised central puck. This puck is generally used for robot vacuum navigation, but there are options that use different approaches – including all Roomba models, and some of Roborock's newest bots like the Qrevo Slim and Roborock Saros 10R (both of which we rate very highly).
Read our full SwitchBot K10+ Pro review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | Fantastically compact and great for getting into tight spot. Self-empty dock also small. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Navigates confidently into tight spaces, but suction is on the weaker side and mopping is poor. | 3.5/5 |
Value | Not wildly overpriced, but you're paying more for the compact size. | 3.5/5 |
The best robot vacuum for hard floors
✅ Your priority is mopping: The star of the show here is the innovative and effective roller mop, which continuously siphons dirty water off the mop pad and adds fresh water as it cleans.
✅ You want a hands-off option: The dock takes care of a lot of mop maintenance, including emptying and refilling tanks, and cleaning the mop pads.
❌ You don't need the very best mopping: The advanced mopping and comprehensive dock bump up the price here, and other robovacs will do a good enough mopping job for most people (the Eufy X10 at #1 has a great mop, for example).
❌ You're short on space: The dock can do a lot of things, but it's pretty bulky as a result.
The Eureka J20 is the best robot vacuum for hard floors, thanks to a game-changing new 'RollRenew' mop style. With most robovacs, mopping is a bit of an afterthought, but that's not the case here. The mop pad is mounted onto a roller (think: tank track), and as it rotates around the dirty liquid is siphoned off and clean water is sprayed on. That helps ensure a hygienic and effective mopping session – the mop won't simply spread messes around further as it tries to clean them.
On test, we found it did a fantastic job of clearing spillages. We were also impressed with the comprehensive docking station, which helps ease the burden of the maintenance tasks involved with mopping robot vacuums. It'll drain the dirty water tank, refill the clean one, and wash and dry the mop pads. Elsewhere, vacuuming is very good, especially on higher suction levels, and the mapping and obstacle avoidance reliable too.
On the down-side, the battery life is rather short on higher powered modes (which will be required for most people's needs). That might not be an issue if you're cleaning on one floor as the bot will just return to its dock to recharge as required, but it becomes more annoying if you're using it on multiple floors.
Price-wise, it's not cheap – although we couldn't fault the build quality or engineering, and these kinds of do-it-all docks do always come at a price. But if you have lots of hard floors and mopping is your priority, it's worth the investment.
Alternatives
Previously in this slot we had the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni, which offers hot water mopping that's great at tackling greasy spillages. There are some compromises you'll need to make with this model, but it's often on sale and significantly cheaper than this Eureka model. Another alternative to consider is the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, which we found absolutely excellent for mopping.
Read our full Eureka J20 robot vacuum review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | High build quality, innovative mop design, and well-engineered base station that takes care of most maintenance. | 4/5 |
Performance | Excellent mopping, and strong vacuuming too – especially on higher settings. Battery life short though. | 4.5/5 |
Value | Premium, but there are very few alternatives with this roller mop system. Plus you're paying for the comprehensive dock. | 4/5 |
The best robot vacuum for carpet
✅ You want great vacuuming and mopping: This combination robovac's cleaning powers are excellent – it even managed to vacuum into the corners of rooms, which is generally an issue for robovacs.
✅ You want a stylish dock: The Freo X has a space-age, curvy dock that I wouldn't mind having on display.
❌ You're dealing with high levels of dirt: This robovac doesn't self-empty dust, and while the onboard bin will compress dust so it can hold a surprisingly large amount, you'll still have to empty it more than you would a traditional self-empty model.
❌ You have an open plan home: The Narwal app won't let you demarcate open plan spaces into 'rooms'.
The Narwal Freo X Ultra is the best robot vacuum for carpet. It's a premium product, (and it's not available in the UK), but delivers the best carpet cleaning performance of any robovac we've tested. On test we found that not only did it suck up finer dust and dirt efficiently, it also scooped up larger debris – namely bits of cereal – just as well. Most robovacs fling large debris about the room rather than vacuuming it up, so this is very impressive. Another area where many robovacs fail is on cleaning around the edges and into the corners of rooms. Again, the Freo X Ultra shines here: the side brushes get right up to the edges of rooms.
It's good at avoiding objects, reliably dodging pets and other discarded objects, and only really struggling with cables (which no robovac we've tested has been able to reliably avoid).
One thing to be aware of is that this robovac doesn't actually self-empty dust; there's no dock dustbin. Instead, the onboard dustin compresses its contents so it can hold more – Narwal claims up to seven week's worth of debris. However, I think it's fair to assume you'll need to manually empty it more than you would a traditional, self-empty robovac, given dock dustbins tend to hold 2.5L or 3L of dirt.
The Freo X Ultra's mopping capabilities are not quite as impressive as its vacuuming, but still good. On test, it cleared up spillages well, but the mop pads couldn't get close to the edges of rooms. We also found this robot vacuum would dock regularly for mop cleaning, which isn't necessarily an issue, but does extend overall cleaning times. It will automatically empty and refill its onboard water tank, and it can clean its own mop pads too.
While the app is intuitive, and the mapping good, there is a major issue for anyone with an open plan living space. Namely, you can't separate it into different zones. It won't be a problem for everyone, but if you live in an open plan home, you'll probably want to opt for a different brand.
Alternatives
Narwal makes four robot vacuums: the most advanced is the Freo Z Ultra (review in progress), followed by the Freo X Ultra listed here. Next is the original Narwal Freo, which is more affordable and comes with a dock that will empty and refill water tanks but doesn't auto-empty dust. Finally, there's the Freo X Plus, which is significantly cheaper and more basic than the others in the range. It has mopping capabilities but the dock is just a simple charge dock.
Read our full Narwal Freo X Ultra review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | Cool, curvy dock with LED panel. Two side brushes instead of one. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Excellent vacuuming, and especially good at edges. Mopping is fine, although regular mop pad washing extends cleaning times. | 4.5/5 |
App | Intuitive app, but robot doesn't always do as its told, and there's an issue with separating open plan spaces. | 3/5 |
Value | Premium, and one of the priciest models here. Will be a reach for most people. | 3.5/5 |
The best all-in-one robot vacuum
✅ You also need a manual vacuum: Most people with robovacs also have a manual vacuum. The Ecovacs takes the fuss of that out by providing you with one in the first place.
✅ You love a high-tech gadget: With its own voice assistant, fantastic mapping and (albeit unreliable) foot control, this is one clever robot vacuum.
❌ Your priority is mopping: The mopping here is very good, but probably not as good as the Eufy at #1 or Eureka at #7.
❌ You're on a budget: The Deebot T30S Combo is one of the more expensive robot vacuums in my guide, and if you're willing to make a few compromises on performance or features then there are plenty more affordable alternatives.
The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo is the best all-in-one robot vacuum solution. It has the highest maximum suction of any robot vacuum in this ranking (11,000Pa – matching the maximum we see on any robot vacuum). The specs stood up on testing too; this robovac's vacuuming powers are some of the very best we've come across. Our tester also found it could tackle the edges of rooms remarkably well, and its mopping is excellent too.
Most people with robot vacuums need to supplement them with a manual vacuum – even if your robovac is great at corners and edges, it still won't be able to tackle stairs or upholstery. Ecovacs has taken the effort out of that by bundling a mini handheld vacuum in with the T30S Combo (and if you get the Complete version, there's a full stick vacuum thrown in!) for supplementary cleaning. At 3L, the onboard dustbin capacity is larger than usual, meaning it you'll need to replace the bags less often.
As you'd expect at this price, this robot vacuum not short on features, including its own voice assistant. It can launched via the tap of a foot (although on test this didn't always work reliably), the base station will wash and dry the mop pads, the dust cups of the robovac and the handheld vac will auto-empty when docked, and the mapping is outstanding. The companion app works extremely well – our tester was especially impressed that it automatically partitioned the rooms into their own spaces. In terms of performance, we had almost no issues with this robot vacuum at all – if it's in your budget, it's worth the investment.
Read our full Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Design | Comes with a supplementary handheld vacuum. Base is a bit wide, but houses both parts, plus accessories. | 5/5 |
Performance | Great at vacuuming, and good at mopping although can sometimes spread wet spillages. Long battery life and fast charging. | 4.5/5 |
App | Easy to use with plenty of fine-tuning options. Solid mapping and partitioning, too. | 5/5 |
Value | Very premium pricing. Party justified by quality, but will be too much for many. | 4/5 |
Specs comparison
Model | Max suction | Robot height | Dock size | Mop function | Self-empty | Dock dustbin | Price bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Eufy X10 Pro Omni | 8,000Pa | 4.5" / 11.4cm | 18.9 x 14.4 x 18.1" / 46 x 36.6 x 48cm | Yes | Yes | 2.5L | Premium |
2. Dreame L40 Ultra | 11,000Pa | 4.1" / 10.4cm | 18 x 13.4 x 23.3" / 45.7 x 34 x 59.1cm | Yes | Yes | 3.2L | Premium |
3. Narwal Freo X Plus | 7,800Pa | 4.2" / 10.7cm | 10.8 x 4.65 x 5.39" / 27.5 x 11.8 x 13.7cm | Yes | No | None | Budget / Mid |
4. Xiaomi X20+ | 6,000Pa | 3.8" / 9.7cm | 23.1 x 16.8 x 13.4" / 58.6 x 42.7 x 34cm | Yes | Yes | 2.5L | Budget |
5. Roborock Qrevo Curv | 18,500Pa | 4" / 10.3cm | 17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7" / 45 x 45 x 45cm | Yes | Yes | 2.7L | Premium |
6. SwitchBot K10+ Pro | 3,000Pa | 3.6" / 9.2cm | 12.72 x 10.28 x 8.27" / 32.3 x 26.1 x 21cm | Yes (basic) | Yes | 4L | Mid-range |
7. Eureka J20 | 8,000Pa | 4.1" / 10.5cm | 17.8 x 16.5 x 18.1" / 45.2 x 41.9 x 46cm | Yes | Yes | 3L | Premium |
8. Narwal Freo X Ultra | 8,200Pa | 4.2" / 10.7cm | 17.1 x 16 x 14.6" / 43.4 x 41.5 x 37cm | Yes | Yes | 1L | Premium |
9. Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo | 11,000Pa | 4.1" / 10.4cm | 20.8 x 21.8 x 17.4" / 52.8 x 55.4 x 44.3cm | Yes | Yes | 3L | Premium |
Tested by
All the robot vacuums in this ranking have been rigorously tested, either by one of the TechRadar Homes team or an experienced reviewer. Meet some of the expert reviewers who tested the robovacs that feature in this guide.
James has tested robot vacuums of all sorts from the most basic models to the ones so feature-packed that they can be used as a security camera. He appreciates models that can suck up all sorts of debris, clean the edges of rooms, and allow easy room partitioning in-app. So far he has reviewed 9 robot vacuums for TechRadar, including models by Narwal, Ecovacs, Yeedi, Bissell and Shark.
Alistair is a London-based journalist who has been writing about tech for over a decade. He has tested numerous robovacs over the years for TechRadar, from brands like iRobot, Eufy and Roborock. His favourites match intelligent navigation with smart design.
Alternatives to consider
If none of the robot vacuums above take your fancy, here are some other models worth considering. These robovacs all scored highly on test, but just didn't quite make our main guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are robot vacuums worth it?
For certain people and households, very much so. I only used manual vacuums before I started testing robot vacuums for TechRadar, and now I wouldn't be without one. They have revolutionized my cleaning – I live alone, so I'm not dealing with loads of dirt and dust buildup, but I send the robot out once or twice a week and it just takes care of the vacuuming for me. It's realistically far more often than I would drag a manual vac out of the cupboard, so my apartment is cleaner than usual, and my dust allergy symptoms have calmed down too.
A 2024 study from Roskilde University in Denmark explored how householders’ experiences with robot vacuum cleaners compared to their experience with manual vacuum, and found that "robotic vacuum cleaners are inferior in use, yet transform vacuuming". That's exactly in line with my personal experience – while I can see that my robot vacuum's cleaning power is not as strong as a manual vac, the fact that it allows for regular, basically effort-free vacuuming means it has still had a massive positive impact on my cleaning routine.
Robot vacuums can be expensive, but you don't have to shell out for a top-of-the-range model – for many people, even a basic, affordable option will make a big difference.
There are caveats, though. Robovacs can't deal with stairs, so their usefulness in multi-floor homes is far more limited. They're also not capable of proper deep cleans, so if you're dealing with lots of hair or dirt, they might not cut it.
How much does a robot vacuum cost?
Pricing for robot vacuums can vary enormously. At TechRadar, these are the price bands we use:
Budget: less than $500 / £400
Mid-range: $400-$800 / £400-£650
Premium: $800+ / £650+
Broadly speaking, the more functions are included, the higher the price tag. Adding things like mopping, self-emptying, and self-cleaning will all result in a much higher price tag. So if you just want a capable robot vacuum and are happy to empty it yourself, you'll be able to shop mostly in the budget and lower mid-range brackets.
It's not rare these days to see range-topping models run to four figures, but the rate of meaningful improvement has started to slow, and for many people, the features included in those models are far from essential. Big-brand robovacs that are a couple of years old can often deliver the best value for money, with very few sacrifices in performance. And sales events like the Black Friday deals generally come through with strong discounts in this category too.
Do robot vacuums work on pet hair?
Yes, but with caveats. Generally, robot vacuums can't match manual models for outright suction power, so they won't clean built-up pet hair and dander as thoroughly as, say, a corded upright. That's especially true if you're dealing with carpet. Robot vacs are best suited to convenient, little-and-often cleans, so if you send yours out daily, it'll help you stay on top of your pet's hair and stop it from building up in the first place. You'll likely still want to supplement this with the occasional deep clean with a manual vacuum, though.
If you have shedding pets and carpet, look for models with higher suction power (5,000Pa or ideally more), and a boost/extra suction mode option. Models with rubbery brushrolls are also typically good at gripping hair.
Can a robot vacuum replace a normal vacuum?
Realistically, probably not. For one, you can't use them anywhere but on the floor, so you'll need something to clean your stairs, furniture, mattress and so on. They also can't really match manual vacuums for suction power, so while they can help you stay on top of dust build-up, most people will want to supplement their work with the occasional deep clean with a manual vacuum.
Read more on this subject in our article exploring can a robot vacuum replace your existing vacuum cleaner?
How do robot vacuums work?
Robot vacuums have a series of brushes on the underside of the machine that work together to collect dirt and dust that they come in contact with. The dirt is then sucked into the dust cup, which is fitted into the vacuum's body. Most are equipped with smaller brushes that extend past the circumference of the vacuum, and the purpose of these is to reach dirt that's settled against baseboards or in awkward places.
More advanced robot vacuums have lasers on the front of the machine and some on the underside of the device too. These lasers detect where furniture, objects, and edges are in your home, helping avoid bumps, and cliff detection prevents the machine from falling down the stairs. Read our article on how do robot vacuums work to find out more.
What is the best robot vacuum?
After reviewing 16 new robot vacuums (and counting) in 2024, the best robot vacuum on the market right now is the Eufy X10 Pro Onmi. This combo vac-and-mop performs very well on both hard floor and carpet, and it's nice and easy to use thanks to a very well-designed app. It also takes care of emptying itself, meaning less intervention is required from you.
That model sits in the premium price bracket, though, so if you're on a tighter budget our top recommendation is the Proscenic Floobot X1, which punches well above its relatively wallet-friendly price tag.
How to choose the best robot vacuum for you
New robot vacuums are being released at an alarming rate, and it can be difficult to tell one from another. Below is my quick guide to how to choose the right model for you – if you want more information, you'll find it in my in-depth robot vacuum buying advice article.
Suction power
Today's top-specced robovacs can generate upwards of 10,000Pa of suction. That's rare though, and you're generally looking at machines that sit in the four-figure price bracket to get that kind of power. In the mid-range, expect 5,000-7,000Pa of suction. Lower than 5,000Pa is what I'd expect in a budget-friendly model.
Respected robovac brand Eufy says on its blog that 2,000-6,000Pa is "adequate for routine maintenance cleaning". I'd roughly agree with that. 2,000Pa is on the low side, but might be fine for hard floors and light cleaning; if you're dealing with things like pet hair and have carpets, I'd definitely be looking at the upper end of that bracket.
Remember that in general robot vacuums are designed for regular, light cleaning rather than deep cleans.
Vac or mop-vac?
Many of today's best robot vacuums are also able to mop floors. This can be useful if you have a mix of hard floors and carpet, but be aware that robovac mopping tends not to clean as well as good old manual mopping. Dual, rotating circular disc mop pads tend to deliver a more effective clean than semicircular mop pads, in my experience.
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Dock type
The cheapest robovacs will only have a dock for charging. Pricier models incorporate self-emptying of the onboard dustbin, and draining/refilling of the onboard water tanks. The very fanciest models offer automatic mop pad cleaning, and detergent dispensing for the mopping fluid. Onboard dustbins tend to be small, so if you're dealing with lots of dust or hair then I'd recommend prioritizing a self-empty dock. However, be aware that the more functions you add, the bigger the dock will be – the ones with water tanks can be pretty massive.
Cleaning features
Beyond suction power, there are lots of design aspects that will affect how well your robovac cleans, including edge cleaning features, pet-friendly features, and features geared towards tackling hair.
Historically, robovacs aren't great at cleaning up to the edges of rooms, but today's best robot vacuums add spinning side brushes designed to flick debris into the robot's suction path. Combo models might also have mops that can kick out from the side of the vacuum to get closer to the sides of rooms.
Pet owners might want to look for a model that is able to recognize their pet and either avoid it (if it's spooked by the addition of a sentient appliance to the household) or seek it out to check up on it while you're out of the house. If your pet occasionally makes a mess on the carpet, look for models that are designed to recognize and avoid poop.
If you have long hair, or live with someone who does, you might want to consider a robot vacuum with features geared towards ensuring it doesn't end up tangled all around the brushrolls. Some brands will address this by tapering their brushrolls or breaking them in the middle, with the aim of quickly directing hair towards the bin inlet. Dreame even has an alternative brushroll attachment that has little blades to chop up hair so it can be more easily managed.
How we tested these robot vacuums
✅ We've tested over 75 robot vacuums in total
✅ ... including 25 new models in 2024
✅ We've been reviewing robovacs since 2015
A new robot vacuum can be a significant investment, so to ensure you end up with the right one for you, each model here has been tested either on-team, or by one of our regular, experienced freelance reviewers.
We test out models from a wide range of brands, including the likes of iRobot Roomba, Shark and Roborock, as well as Eufy, Ecovacs, Narwal and Proscenic. We cover options for different budgets, rather than only testing the latest-and-greatest models (which, after all, will be overkill for many shoppers).
Our reviews are underpinned by specific, standardized tests. Here's a rundown of our review process.
Suction tests
We test fine dirt pickup by sprinkling a mix of flour and cookie crumbs on the floor, and large debris pickup using oats. We look at whether there's any remnants left after a single pass from the robot vacuum, and if it catches them on a second run. We repeat these tests for both hard floor and carpet.
Mopping tests
If the robot vacuum has a mop function, we see how it copes with fresh liquid spillages as well as dried-on, sticky messes. We'll also look at how the robot tackles the issue of switching between vacuuming and mopping – will it reliably detect floor type, and pick up its mop pad when moving from hard floor onto carpet, for example?
Mapping tests
When we first get the robot set up, we'll see how long it takes to create a map of the home, and how accurate that map is. For subsequent runs, we'll keep an eye on how the robot navigates the space; if takes a logical route through the house, if it repeats already-clean areas, and so on.
Navigation tests
To assess object avoidance, we lay out a charge cable, a sock that's a similar color to the floor, and some fake pet poop, to see if it can reliably spot and avoid them. On the navigation front, we'll also test the robot vacuum's edge cleaning abilities – does it get right up to the edges of rooms, or leave a margin that needs manual cleaning.
General use tests
As well as these standardized tests, my reviewers integrate these robovacs into their daily cleaning setup, to get a feel for how effective and user-friendly they are in general. This includes assessing noise levels (when cleaning and also when self-emptying), how long they last on a single charge, and how regularly they have to return to the dock to self-empty or charge.
We'll dig into the app and gauge how well-designed, usable and intuitive it is, and how much control it offers. We'll also test any specific performance claims made by the manufacturer, as well as checking out any special features like built-in voice assistants and camera surveillance.
After at least two weeks of testing, we consolidate our findings and use them to judge who (if anyone) we'd recommend the robot vacuum to. We also compare the features and build quality to the price, to assess if the robot vacuum is good value for money.
Read more on how we test vacuum cleaners.