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Best Cheap Robot Vacuum

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Roomba 690

Roomba 690 robot vacuum review

Pros: Wifi connectivity, virtual walls, and exceptional cleaning performance

Cons: Slightly more pricey than other budget options

Bottom Line: Arguably the best value robot vacuum we’ve tested to date. It’s the one we’d buy and use

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Ecovacs Deebot N79

ecovacs deebot n79 robot vacuum

Pros: Wifi connectivity, remote control, and a long run time

Cons: No virtual walls and dust bin on the smaller side

Bottom Line: One of the least expensive robot vacuums that still includes wifi connectivity

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iLife A4s

ilife a4s robot vacuum

Pros: Includes a remote control and impressive run time of ~120-140 mins

Cons: No wifi connectivity or virtual walls

Bottom Line: Solid value, with a long run time– especially considering it’s moderate price point

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eufy Robovac 11

eufy robovac 11

Pros: Includes remote control and is one of the cheapest robots to maintain

Cons: Slightly more pricey than other budget options

Bottom Line: Costs more upfront, but the low annual maintenance costs help to improve value

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If you’re in the market for the best cheap robot vacuum, you’re not alone. Robot vacuums have been growing in popularity as technology improves and price becomes more affordable. 

The launch of many robot vacuums under $300 takes the modern robot vacuum from a techy dream to a realistic cleaning tool.

Prices for a reliable robot vacuum range from ultra-affordable, like the Pyle Pure Clean robot vacuum to ultra-tech savvy (and more expensive) for the Samsung POWERBot robot vacuum.

While this is certainly a significant jump, you can get many impressive features without breaking the bank.

This guide is intended to flesh out the best cheap robot vacuum. For this task, we set ourselves with a budget of $300. 

In terms of what you can expect at each pricing level, we put together the table below: 

Cheap Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums in this range generally include:

  • Basic navigation
  • Frequent bumping
  • Good cleaning performance
  • Rare to have Wifi-connectivity
  • Limited accessories
  • Possible scheduled cleanings

See Examples

Value Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums in this range generally include:

  • Advanced navigation
  • Occasional bumping
  • Great cleaning performance
  • More accessories
  • Wifi-connectivity / Voice control
  • Scheduled cleanings

See Examples

Top Tier Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums in this range generally include:

  • Excellent navigation
  • Little to no bumping
  • Exceptional cleaning performance
  • Wifi-connectivity / Voice control
  • Even more accessories
  • Scheduled cleanings

See Examples

In the table below we look at our top picks for budget, affordable, and cheap robot vacuum cleaners. The following budget robot vacuums are some of favorite models on the market today.

The following table indicates common features, differences, and specifications that may be important to you.

Roomba 690iLife A4sEcovacs Deebot N79Eufy Robovac 11Pyle Pure CleanbObsweep PetHairSamsung POWERBot
Scheduling YesYesYesYesNoYes24-Hour Timer
Self-ChargingYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
Wifi ConnectivityYesNoYesNoNoNoNo
Remote ControlNoYesYesYesNoYesNo
Virtual WallsYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Floor TypesAllAllAllAllHard surfacesAllAll
Score
94%91%91%91%82%88%89%
PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead ReviewRead Review

Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum

First up, we have the Roomba 690. Although the price is slightly beyond the top of our range, this robot vacuum is such an incredible value that we had to include it.

Roomba 690
Roomba 690 robot vacuum

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 93%
  • Maintenance: ~$32 / year
  • Dimensions: 13″ dia. x 3.6″
  • Power: Battery, 1,800 mAh
  • Run Time: ~60 minutes
  • Weight: 7.8 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.3 L

Want More? Read review.

How It Cleans

The Roomba 690 uses a similar bristle-style brushroll and one spinning side brush to clean each space.

Unlike more advanced Roomba (like the Roomba 980), the 690 does not have a memory feature, which means it will generally complete a cleaning cycle faster than newer models (assuming you’re cleaning the same size space.)

The Roomba 690 has edge sensors located at the front of the vacuum to help detect edges and other drop risks, like stairs or lofted spaces.

The Roomba 690 uses a three stage cleaning process similar to models listed above:

  1. Agitate: The central brushroll agitates dirt, dust, and debris to loosen any particles that may have sunk to the bottom of the flooring.
  2. Sweep: The spinning side brush sweeps debris away from edges or tight corners, pushing all debris into the path of the central brushroll.
  3. Suck: Once in the path, the Roomba’s powerful vacuum suction takes over and sucks the debris from the floor into the dust bin.
iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum accessories
iRobot Roomba 690 robot vacuum – accessories

Accessories & Parts

The Roomba 690 robot vacuum comes with:

  • Spinning brush
  • Charging station
  • Battery
  • HEPA filter x 2
  • Cleaning tool
  • Virtual wall barrier

Unique to the Roomba 690, this is the only budget robot vacuum in this guide that includes a virtual wall barrier. For larger homes or homes that have sensitive areas that you would like the Roomba to avoid, a virtual barrier is a great tool to do that.

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the Roomba 690.

Maintenance

The maintenance costs for the Roomba 690 are around $32 / year,following manufacturer guidelines. This is a little more than some of the other models, but certainly nothing outrageous. Considering the higher price, these maintenance costs are pretty standard.

Value

Overall, I would say that the quality of robot vacuum that you get with the Roomba 690 is exceptional. The cleaning performance is top notch and the vacuum has wifi connectivity and reasonable maintenance costs. The Roomba name is also known for exceptional usability and quality of product.

As with no exception, the Roomba 690 robot vacuum was easy to use, had great navigation, and provided an overall quality clean.

iLife A4s Robot Vacuum

The iLife A4S robot vacuum is an extremely compact robot vacuum that provides powerful cleaning performance, despite its smaller size and small price tag. The iLife is one of the least expensive robot vacuums we have tested to date.

iLife A4s robot vacuum cleaner
iLife A4s robot vacuum cleaner

How It Cleans

The iLife A4s uses a bristle-style brushroll and side spinning brushes to collect dirt and debris. There are five cleaning modes, a nice bonus for a budget robot vacuum:

  • Edge cleaning: The iLife cleans the perimeter of the room and stays clear of the center of rooms, cleaning only edges.
  • Spot cleaning: This mode allows the A4s to deeply clean one specific area and turn off or return home once complete.
  • Mini-room cleaning: This mode is as easy as putting the iLife in a room and shutting the door. The vacuum will clean the edges and center and do any necessary spot cleaning until the job is done.
  • Scheduled cleaning: This mode allows you to schedule cleanings up to 7 days out.
  • Auto cleaning: Simply press the start button and let the iLife decide which cleaning mode is best on its own.
iLife A4s how it cleans
iLife A4s robot vacuum parts: 1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) charging pins, 4) roller brush, and 5) dust bin

Accessories & Parts

The iLife A4s robot vacuum comes with:

  • Two spinning brushes
  • Two HEPA filters
  • Remote control (with two AA batteries)
  • Charging station
  • Cleaning tool

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the iLife A4s.

Maintenance

Maintenance costs for the iLife run about $40 / year, according to manufacturer recommendations— certainly not bad, but also not the cheapest we’ve seen.

Value

The iLife is one of the best value cheap robot vacuums we’ve reviewed to date. It’s got one of the lowest sticker prices and offers great cleaning performance, a long runtime, and a compact size.

There’s no wifi or voice control, but the remote control provides a “+1” for usability. If price is your chief concern, so here for the best Roomba alternatives.

COMPARISON – See our comprehensive iLife vs. Roomba comparison.

  • Cleaning Performance: 90%
  • Maintenance: ~$40 / year
  • Dimensions: 12″ dia. x 3″ height
  • Power: Battery, 2,600 mAh
  • Run Time: ~120-140 minutes
  • Weight: 4.9 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.45 L

Want More? Read Review

Ecovacs Deebot N79 Robot Vacuum

The Ecovacs Deebot N79 robot vacuum is slightly more than the iLife A4s, but also includes added features like Wifi connectivity and a remote control.

How It Cleans: Similar to the iLife, the Deebot N79 also uses a bristle-style brushroll for cleaning as well as two side spinning brushes. These spinning brushes help to capture debris along edges and in corners while the central brushroll sweeps debris in the main path.

Ecovacs Deebot N79 robot vacuum
Ecovacs Deebot N79 robot vacuum

Accessories & Parts

The Ecovacs Deebot robot vacuum comes with:

  • Four spinning brushes
  • Two HEPA filters
  • Remote control
  • Charging station
  • Cleaning tool
ecovacs deebot n79 robot vacuum how it cleans
1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) charging pins, 4) roller brush, and 5) dust bin

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the Ecovacs Deebot N79.

Maintenance

Maintenance costs for the Ecovacs Deebot N79 are quite reasonable, only about $25 a year. Ecovacs even offers an annual maintenance kit which includes three filters, four brushes, and one brushroll (basically what you’d need to maintain the vacuum for a whole year).

Value

Overall, I would say that the Ecovacs Deebot N79 is a solid value. It has a long run time, is low maintenance, and boasts great cleaning performance. The remote control and wifi connectivity are added bonuses as well.

COMPARE: Deebot vs. Roomba (comprehensive side-by-side comparision)

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 90%
  • Maintenance: ~$25 / year
  • Dimensions: 13″ dia. x 3.1″ height
  • Power: Battery: 2,600 mAh
  • Run Time: ~100 minutes
  • Weight: 7.8 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.3 L

Want More? Read Review

Eufy RoboVac 11 Robot Vacuum

The Eufy RoboVac 11 has a remote control, a charging base, and basic navigation.The Eufy will begin cleaning your home at the touch of button and won’t stop until you tell it to.

Eufy RobotVac 11 robot vacuum
Eufy RobotVac 11 robot vacuum

How It Cleans

The Eufy RoboVac 11 has a centrally located bristle brushroll and two spinning side brushes that collect dirt, dust, and debris as it navigates your spaces.

The Eufy RobotVac 11 has six available cleaning modes:

  • Auto cleaning: Just like it sounds, auto cleaning mode allows the Eufy to scour the space, cleaning in whatever mode it deems necessary for each area.
  • Spot cleaning: In this mode, the Eufy will clean in a spiral pattern, which gets increasingly larger until the spot is clean.
  • Single room cleaning: When cleaning a single room, simply place the RoboVac in a room and close the door. It will clean the room and then turn off after the task is done.
  • Edge cleaning: Edge cleaning involves the Eufy navigating the edges only, skipping the center of the room entirely.
  • Manual cleaning: For a powerful manual clean, you can use directional buttons on the remote control to dictate the navigation— choosing from front to back, or side to side.
  • Max cleaning: While this seems like more of a power mode instead of a separate cleaning style, the Eufy RoboVac does offer a “max” mode that cleans at a higher suction power, which can be used for vacuuming carpeted floors.

For comparison’s sake, most other robot vacuum models clean until the job is done and then automatically return to the charging station. 

The Eufy requires a bit more “babysitting” since it simply turns off when the job is done. You’ll have to manually place the vacuum on the charging station.

eufy robovac 11 robot vacuum how it cleans
1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) charging pins, 4) roller brush, and 5) dust bin

Accessories & Parts

The Eufy RoboVac 11 robot vacuum comes with:

  • Four spinning brushes
  • Two HEPA filters
  • Remote
  • Charging base and cord
  • Cleaning tool

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the Eufy RoboVac 11.

Maintenance

With proper care, the Eufy should cost around $22 / year to maintain. This includes a couple of filters, two spinning brushes, and one brushroll.

Value

The RoboVac 11 is a great value in my opinion. The maintenance costs are low, cleaning performance is good, and it has a long run time. It’s a bit annoying that it doesn’t return to the charging station once it completes a cleaning, but again, for the low price, this may be a feature you can do without.

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 90%
  • Maintenance: ~$22 / year
  • Dimensions: 13″ dia. x 3.1″
  • Power: Battery, 2,600 mAh
  • Run Time: ~100 minutes
  • Weight: 6.7 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.6 L

Want More?Read Review

Pyle Pure Clean Robot Vacuum

The Pure Clean robot vacuum by Pyle is one of the lowest priced robot vacuums on the market today. This vacuum lacks bells and whistles, but has the cleaning capacity to get the job done for most spaces.

It does a great job cleaning hardwood floors and struggles a bit more on carpets, but if you’ve only got hardwoods, this could be a great option for you.

Pure Clean robot vacuum side view
Pure Clean robot vacuum – side view

How It Cleans

The biggest difference in how the Pure Clean robot vacuum cleans is that it doesn’t have a brushroll. The Pure Clean relies solely on the spinning side brushes and a central suction slot to capture all of the debris on the floor.

While cleaning performance does suffer from not having a brushroll, it is one less part to maintain and helps keeps the initial cost down as well.

One thing to consider— if your home has a lot of large debris spills, this may not be the vacuum for you, since the design of the suction slot does not allow for large debris to pass through. 

Pure Clean robot vacuum
1) wheels, 2) spinning brushes, 3) suction, and 4) secondary wheels

Accessories & Parts

The Pyle Pure Clean robot vacuum comes with:

  • Four spinning brushes
  • Two HEPA filters
  • Charging cord

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the Pure Clean.

Maintenance

The exact maintenance for the Pure Clean robot vacuum is a bit of a mystery. We were unable to find specifically what the manufacturer recommends for part replacement. In fact, maintenance in general was pretty difficult. In order to get the replacement part you need, you’d have to:

  1. Go to the manufacturer’s website.
  2. Go tothe FAQ page.
  3. Find your model.
  4. Open a customer service ticket.
  5. Go through customer service in order to get the part you need.

Value

Depending on what exactly you’re looking for, the Pure Clean robot vacuum could either be a really great value, or a terrible value. If you’re just looking for an inexpensive robot vacuum to clean small messes off of hardwoods in a small to moderate size space, this vacuum might be perfect for you.

But if you’re looking for a robot vacuum that can navigate a trickier layout, or tackle large debris spills, high traffic areas, or carpeted spaces, I would generally recommend that you keep shopping. The Pure Clean definitely has its time and place, but it wouldn’t be right for that type of task, in my opinion.

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 80%
  • Maintenance: ~$22 / year
  • Dimensions: 11″ dia. x 2.9″
  • Power: Battery, 850 mAh
  • Run Time: ~90 minutes
  • Weight: 3.5 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.2 L

Want More? Read Review

bObsweep PetHair Robot Vacuum

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum is a great option if you’re looking for a cheap robot vacuum that is also a workhorse against pet hair.

The bObsweep is one of the only cheap robot vacuum that we’ve reviewed to date with a large 3×5″ LED screen. Using this screen you can learn important data about your vacuum, the cleaning cycle, or even future maintenance.

bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum battery
bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum battery

How It Cleans

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum uses a central brushroll and spinning side brush to clean each space. This model has three cleaning modes to choose from:

  • Spiral cleaning: In this mode, the vacuum will travel in a circle that gradually gets larger as it cleans, which is handy for spot cleaning.
  • Straight cleaning: This mode creates straight lines, more typical of what you would see with a traditional upright or stick vacuum. With straight lines, the bObsweep navigates the room going edge-to-edge.
  • Edge cleaning: As it sounds, the edge cleaning mode simply cleans the edges of the room and skips the middle.

Being a pet-friendly vacuum, the bObsweep integrates a few real bonuses for pet owners.

  • UV cleaning: This option can be turned on or off and emits an anti-bacterial UV light as it cleans, helping to limit the spread of germs.
  • XL dust bin: The 1,000 mL dust bin is massive for this category of robot vacuums, certainly the largest we’ve reviewed to date.
  • Mopping: This vacuum also includes a mopping attachment that uses a damp “mopping cover” to sweep, mop, and vacuum, simultaneously.

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum does not have wifi connectivity, but it does include a remote control for scheduled cleanings or other personal settings.

bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum
1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) charging pins, 4) roller brush, and 5) dust bin

Accessories & Parts

The bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum comes with:

  • Two spinning brushes
  • Two brushrolls
  • Charging station
  • Two HEPA filters
  • Remote control
  • Mopping pad
  • Four blinders

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum.

Maintenance

One of the biggest drawbacks of the bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum is the high maintenance costs.

Following manufacturer recommendations, you can expect to pay over $100 / year in annual maintenance costs.

One year of maintenance would include the purchase of two filters, two spinning brushes, and a pack of five mop clothes. On top of that, a new battery and new rolling brush would need to be purchased every 2 years.

Value

Considering the high maintenance costs, compared to like models, the bObsweep PetHair robot vacuum would be considered an okay value.

There is no wifi connectivity, but it does include a remote control and quite a few accessories for customized cleaning cycles.

COMPARISON – See our complete Bobsweep vs. Roomba comparison for more.

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 92%
  • Maintenance: ~$112 / year
  • Dimensions: 13.8″ dia. x 3.9″ height
  • Power: Battery, 2,200 mAh
  • Run Time: ~90 minutes
  • Weight: 7.7 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 1.0 L

Want More? Read Review

Samsung POWERbot R7010 Robot Vacuum

Last on the list, we have the Samsung Powerbot R7010. This robot vacuum makes it on our best cheap robot vacuums list and offers many competitive features to similar models.

The POWERbot lacks wifi connectivity, voice control, or a remote control, but had solid cleaning performance and a unique approach to cleaning edges.

Samsung POWERBot robot vacuum
Samsung POWERBot robot vacuum

How It Cleans

The POWERbot takes a unique approach and uses a modified circular shape with a squared off end. With the squared off end, the brushroll is located at the front of the unit and uses a mix of bristles and composite rollers.

There are no side spinning brushes on this unit, but in its place, Samsung designed their vacuum with a unique edge cleaning system.

With the POWERbot, when it detects an edge, it will automatically drop down a rubber shutter that sweeps debris from the edges into the path of the central brushroll. The POWERbot uses three different cleaning modes:

  • Auto cleaning: In this mode, the POWERbot will decide for itself the best way to clean the area where it is placed.
  • Edge detection: The edge detection mode specifically cleans the edges of a room using the vacuum’s unique rubber shutter.
  • Spot cleaning: Spot cleaning mode works to clean specific, small areas within a larger room.
Samsung POWERBot robot vacuum
Samsumg POWERbot robot vacuum parts: 1) wheels, 2) brushroll, 3) charging pins, and 4) dust bin

Accessories

The Samsung POWERBot only comes with a charging station. No additional accessories are provided.

CLEANING:  Click here to check out the cleaning performance of the Samsung POWERbot robot vacuum.

Maintenance

The Samsung POWERbot costs $50 / year to properly maintain, which includes the purchase of two filters and one rolling brush. The filter is washable, which does help to elongate its lifespan.

But the bristle-style brushroll can easily tangle and decrease suction. Keeping the brushroll clean and clear will help this vacuum to maintain at peak performance. 

Value

Overall, the Samsung POWERbot is a decent value. The limited accessories, short run time, and moderately high maintenance costs are certainly drawbacks.

But the price point, modern aesthetic, and advanced edge cleaning could make this a vacuum worth considering for your needs.

RELATED – Who is the best of the best? Find out in our complete best vacuum cleaners guide

The Highlights

  • Cleaning Performance: 89%
  • Maintenance: ~$50 / year
  • Dimensions: 14.9″ x 14.2″ x 5.3″
  • Power: Battery, size unknown
  • Run Time: ~60 minutes
  • Weight: 8.8 pounds
  • Dust Bin Capacity: 0.3 L

Want More? Read Review

Cheap Robot Vacuums Conclusion

Robot vacuums are an excellent way to help reduce your cleaning time each week. Even cheap robot vacuums can come equipped with surprisingly good performance. You don’t always have to spend a ton of money to get a great budget-friendly robot vacuum.

Still not sure what robot vacuum is best for you?

Please send us an email here. We’re always more than happy to help you pick!

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.