To date, we’ve tested 94+ robot vacuums, measuring cleaning performance, navigational abilities, usability, maintenance, and overall quality. Our objective and data-driven tests are designed to show exactly how much debris, long hair, and pet hair the robot can remove, how well it cleans around edges and crevices, its ability to detect and avoid obstacles, and how easy and hands-free it is to use.
Based on our testing we’ve selected the 8 best robot vacuums at 4 different pricing tiers. We’re organizing this list from the most expensive to the least. For more details on our scoring methods and how we chose the devices that made the list, look in this section below for information.
In This Guide
Expensive | High-End | Value | Budget | Cleaning | Navigation | Noise | Usability | Maintenance | How We Test
#1 Overall Pick
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Bleeding-edge Design
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI
Flagship Features; Better Value
Roborock Q Revo
Navigation Expert
Samsung Jet Bot Ai+
Best Debris Removal
Roomba S9+
Great with long hair
Shark Matrix
Budget with a dock
Roomba i3+ EVO
Budget Robot Mop Combo
Roborock S7
Video Best Of
Ultra High-End Robot Vacuums ($$$$+)
Let’s start off with the most expensive and arguably best robot vacuums for 2024.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Best For
- Fantastic debris removal at 97.9% across all floor types
- Dock that empties, washes, dries, refills, and charges the robot
- Navigates well always returning to base
Considerations
- Expensive product
- Struggled with long hair, but easy-to-remove tangles
Why It’s Best
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is a feature-pack robot mop combo that is impressive across all fronts. It packs a powerful base station that handles the majority of daily maintenance tasks for you. In addition, it houses excellent navigational abilities, despite some moment-to-moment obstacle avoidance issues.
Performance was great for the S8, it removed the majority of debris across all floor types, had no issues with edges or crevices, and removed dirt and debris while mopping. That said, it had minor issues with pet hair, and the majority of long hair tangled around the brushroll.
While the device is expensive, the S8 is feature-packed and filled to the brim with cutting-edge features. It has a robust app, advanced dock, and incredibly useful features that make it a pleasure to use. If you want the best and don’t mind the price, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the pick.
Type: Robot Mop Combo
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 10.1 oz. (300 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.8 gal. (3.0 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is built with the latest features and technology a robot vacuum can have. The dock, app, and robot are all designed to be easy to use, so easy you barely have to think about it.
The dock has automatic features to manage daily maintenance. The robot has lifting / lowering mop pads and obstacle-avoidance technology. The app has a plethora of features to get specific control over the device. Overall, the robot is built to be incredibly user-friendly.
In testing, it had fantastic debris removal performance. It removed 97.9% of all debris across all floor types, handled edges and crevices without issues, and had excellent mopping performance. However, pet hair removal wasn’t perfect and long hair tangled around the brushroll.
Navigation was great on a broad scale for the S8 Pro Ultra, but had some issues with obstacle avoidance. It cleaned our office and studio space in 65 minutes, never getting stuck and fully cleaning the floor. But when tested against common household obstacles, the robot failed to avoid the mug and cord completely.
What really sets this vacuum apart from the others is the features packed inside. If price isn’t an issue then the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is a fantastic pick.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 97.9% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.5% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 97.2% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 96.9% |
Long Hair Test | 36.7% |
Pet Hair Test | 67.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Mop Test | Excellent |
Cleaning Speed | 65 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | Partially |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 75 dB |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI
Best For
- Removed 95.5% of all debris in testing
- Reduced daily maintenance thanks to robust docking station
- Incredibly useful app giving the user full control of the robot
Considerations
- An expensive option
- Robot produces a high-pitched whine while vacuuming
Why It’s Best
The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI is the newest robot mop combo from ECOVACS. It comes with a robust docking station and handles the majority of daily maintenance tasks for the user. In addition, the D-shaped body gives the robot better access into corners and along edges.
We saw this in action in our cleaning tests. It removed 95.5% of all debris across all floor types, had little issue with long and pet hair, and handled edges and crevices incredibly well. Furthermore, the mopping performance was excellent. However, the X2 struggled in our obstacle avoidance test, but cleaned effectively on a broader scale.
It’s clear to see the X2 is a high-quality device and that comes with a steep asking price. Nevertheless, it’s an incredibly advanced robot with a number of bleeding edge features.
Type: Robot Mop Combo
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 6.1 oz. (180 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.8 gal. (3.0 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
Being released in the later part of 2023, the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI comes packed with the newest features, latest tech, and it looks the part. The whole design is sleek, modern, and high-quality, including a robust docking station and D-shaped robot vacuum.
In testing, the X2 OMNI showcased incredible performance, removing 95.5% of all debris across all floor types. In addition, little of the hair tangled, practically all of the pat hair was removed, and a healthy amount of dirt was cleaned up by the mop. Furthermore, the D-shaped body allowed the robot to clean along edges more effectively and it had little issue with crevices.
On a broader scale, navigation was excellent for the X2. It navigated our ~1,000 sq. ft. office in 39 minutes without getting stuck. However, it struggled more in our obstacle avoidance tests, failing to avoid every object in some way. That said, obstacle avoidance could be improved with future software updates.
Despite those minor issues, everything else about the X2 OMNI is incredible. The docking station automatically handles daily maintenance, emptying the robot and managing the mop pads. Additionally, the mop pads themselves lift when carpet is detected, which is an improvement over the previous version, the X1.
In practically all ways, the DEEBOT X2 OMNI is built to be a high-quality robot mop combo. It costs a lot, but if you want the best available then the X2 is a good option.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 95.5% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 97.4% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 92.0% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 97.1% |
Long Hair Test | 100% |
Pet Hair Test | 96.0% |
Crevice Test | 99.7% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 99.0% |
Mop Test | Excellent |
Cleaning Speed | 39 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | Partially |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 70 dB |
High-End Robot Vacuums ($$$$)
Next, let’s talk about the robot vacuums that pack a lot of features and fantastic performance, but cost a little less than the most expensive devices.
Roborock Q Revo
Best For
- Solid cleaning performance, with 96.2% debris removal
- Fantastic features like lifting mop pads, feature-packed dock, and mobile app
- Manages long and pet hair well
Considerations
- While high pile carpet performance was good, it wasn’t amazing and took significantly longer to complete
- Did not handle the obstacle avoidance tests well, especially the cord
Why It’s Best
The Roborock Q Revo may not be the flagship model, but it still packs incredible features and excellent performance. The dock automatically handles daily maintenance, the mops raise and lower when carpet is detected, and the app gives the user full control of the device.
Performance was great for the Q Revo as well. Across all floor types 96.2% of debris was removed, some long hair tangled, most of the pet hair was removed, and the mop pads removed a healthy amount of dirt. While obstacle avoidance was a struggle for the Q Revo, broader navigation was not.
This isn’t a cheap device, that said, it isn’t the most expensive option out there either. What really makes the Q Revo an excellent choice, are the flagship features built-in to a non-flagship device.
Type: Robot Mop Combo
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 11.8 oz. (350 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.7 gal. (2.0 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
Across the board the Roborock Q Revo is a fantastic device. The robot itself is capable, housing dual-spinning mop pads that raise and lower when carpet is detected. In addition, the accompanying docking station is feature-packed, able to automatically handle daily maintenance for the user.
Throughout testing, the Q Revo handled itself well, removing 96.2% of all debris across all floor types and mopping effectively. Crevices weren’t an issue, edges posed little threat, and the majority of pet hair was cleaned up. Long hair management was good, but not incredible, having 46.7% of the hair tangle around the brushroll.
Obstacle avoidance was also a challenge for the Q Revo as it failed to avoid the cord completely and had touches on the shoe and mug. That said, navigation on a broad scale posed little issue. It cleaned the entire ~1,000 sq. ft. office and studio space without getting stuck and returned to base.
The true advantage of the Q Revo is its feature set. The auto-maintenance docking station, fully-featured app, and plethora of other useful features all make it a winning combination. If you are looking for a flagship robot vacuum, but don’t want to spend the flagship price, the Roborock Q Revo is a fantastic choice.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 95.2% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.0% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 95.7% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 91.0% |
Long Hair Test | 53.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 90.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 99.9% |
Mop Test | Excellent |
Cleaning Speed | 55 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | Partially |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 67 dB |
Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Best For
- Simple to set up, use, and maintain
- Great cleaning performance, removing 95.8% of all debris
- Can automatically adjust suction based on floor and debris type
Considerations
- Takes a long time to clean, upward of 100 min
- Avoids objects, but corners can sometimes snag
- Occasionally gets stuck while cleaning due to unique shape
Why It’s Best
The Samsung JetBot AI+ is a uniquely shaped robot vacuum with smart features built in. It lacks mopping functionality, but includes an auto empty base station, auto suction adjusting features, and a robust app with many options to control the device. Furthermore, it has obstacle avoidance technology to help improve navigation.
In testing, it removed 95.8% of all debris, had struggles with both hair types, but managed edges and crevices well. Additionally, it had solid navigation across the board with fairly good obstacle avoidance. But, it cleans incredibly slowly, much slower than the average robot we test.
While it lacks mopping features, it comes with a docking station that automatically empties the debris bin as needed. The JetBot was incredibly expensive at release, but now it offers solid performance and great features at a reasonable price.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 6.8 oz. (200 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.7 gal. (2.5 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
The Samsung JetBot AI+ offers a unique design of a tall D-shaped body. It comes equipped with an auto-empty docking station and other smart features that make the device more hands-free.
In testing, the JetBot had fantastic results while cleaning debris. Across all floor types it removed 95.8% of all debris and managed edges and crevices with little issue. However, that wasn’t the case with both hair types. More than half of the hair tangled around the brushroll and only 66.0% of the pet hair was removed. In addition, the JetBot doesn’t have mopping features.
Despite these minor issues, it doesn’t stop the robot vacuum from working well and navigating the space effectively. In testing, the robot got stuck twice on a table that often catches our robot vacuums in its snares. The leg in particular has a ramp-like structure that enables robots to climb up it and get stuck. Since this happened so infrequently across multiple cleaning cycles, we feel confident the vacuum navigates well.
In addition, the Samsung JetBot AI+ is our top performer when it comes to obstacle avoidance. While it had 2 partial touches, it only snagged slightly on the corner of the device as it made a clear attempt to avoid the object. While it avoids well, it is also the slowest robot in terms of cleaning speed. The JetBot took 105 minutes to complete cleaning, whereas the average robot only takes 61 minutes.
All that said, the Samsung JetBot AI+ is still a solid robot vacuum that offers a lot of smart features at a reasonable asking price. It may not be perfect, but if hair isn’t a major concern and you don’t need a mop, then it’s a great pick.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 95.8% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 93.9% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 97.8% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 95.7% |
Long Hair Test | 43.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 66.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 88.1% |
Cleaning Speed | 105 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | Partially |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 69 dB |
Value Robot Vacuums ($$$)
Next, let’s discuss the robot vacuums that won’t break the bank, but still are backed-up by excellent performance.
Roomba S9+
Best For
- D-shaped body allows for easier access to corners and edges
- Fantastic debris removal performance at 99.0%
- Useful features like docking station and smart navigation
Considerations
- Lacks obstacle avoidance
- No mopping capabilities
Why It’s Best
The Roomba S9+ remains a top-of-the-line vacuum despite its age. Having been released in 2019, the S9+ was the flagship model for Roomba at the time. It packs a D-shaped body, auto-empty docking station, and user-friendly app for full user control. That said, it lacks some of the latest features we see in other robot vacuums, like an RGB camera, LiDAR, or mopping functionality.
Despite the lack of this newer technology, the S9+ remains a fantastic robot in terms of performance. It removed 99.0% of all debris across all floor types, had solid performance with pet hair, and perfect results along edges and across crevices. However, it struggled with long hair, having the majority of it tangle around the brushroll.
If you ignore long hair performance, the S9+ had nearly perfect cleaning results. While at the time of its release it was an expensive vacuum, its current price paired with its flagship abilities make it an excellent value in 2024.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 12.8 oz. (379 mL)
Bagless (Dock): No, 0.5 gal. (1.7 L)
Self-Empty: Yes
The Roomba S9+ is an incredible vacuum, especially in terms of performance. In testing, it removed 99.0% of all debris across all floor types. In addition, a healthy amount of pet hair was cleaned up and the D-shaped body handled edges and crevices well. The S9+ struggled with long hair, having the majority of it tangle around the axles, but it was easy to remove.
Due to its age, there are a few newer features that the S9+ lacks. It has no mopping functionality nor does it have an RGB camera or LiDAR for obstacle detection and avoidance. However, the docking station can automatically empty the debris bin and it comes with an easy-to-use app for managing your robot.
Its lack of obstacle detecting features, means you’ll want to ensure the floor is relatively clear before cleaning. It can get stuck, but in most cases the S9+ navigates well. In testing, it cleaned our ~1,000 sq. ft. office and studio space in 55 minutes, rarely getting stuck and returning to base.
At the time of the S9+’s release back in 2019, it was fairly expensive due to its flagship status. However, in the last several years the price has declined significantly. If you don’t need some of the newer bells and whistles that accompany robot vacuums released after the S9+, then this is a great choice.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 99.0% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.0% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 99.0% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 99.0% |
Long Hair Test | 43.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 87.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 100% |
Cleaning Speed | 55 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Exceptional |
Noise Test | 72 dB |
Shark Matrix
Best For
- Manages long hair with minimal tangles
- Excellent debris removal of 98.3% across all floor types
- Navigates quickly without getting stuck
- Bagless docking station for cheaper maintenance costs
Considerations
- Lackluster performance with pet hair
- No obstacle avoidance functionality
Why It’s Best
The Shark Matrix is a robot vacuum with a bagless docking station. This reduces annual maintenance costs, in favor of a bagless debris bin that you empty instead. Beyond that, the Matrix is relatively simple. It uses LiDAR for navigation and lacks obstacle avoidance technology.
Performance was solid for the Shark Matrix. In our tests, it removed 98.3% of all debris, had fantastic results with long hair, and handled edges and crevices well. That said, pet hair performance wasn’t amazing and the Matrix lacks any form of mopping functionality. It navigates well on a broader scale and cleans relatively quickly.
What makes the Shark Matrix attractive is the price, reduced maintenance costs, and excellent cleaning performance. If you don’t need a mop and don’t mind tidying up the floor occasionally for the robot to clean, then the Matrix is a fantastic value choice.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 6.4 oz. (189 mL)
Bagless (Dock): Yes, Unknown
Self-Empty: Yes
While it’s simplistic in design, the Shark Matrix still stands as an excellent robot vacuum, especially for those wanting to save a bit on debris bags. The auto-empty docking station utilizes a bagless debris bin, which saves a few dollars throughout its lifetime. While this improvement is appreciated, there are a few things the Matrix lacks. It has no mop pads or obstacle avoidance technology.
However, the Matrix performs well despite the lack of tech. In our tests it removed 98.3% of all debris across all floor types. Additionally, it had fantastic performance with long hair, but struggled with pet hair on carpet. Edges weren’t too much of an issue for the robot and it had perfect performance in our crevice tests.
While it lacks obstacle avoidance, it navigates well assuming the floor is mostly clear of obstacles. For our ~1,000 sq. ft. office and studio space, the Matrix cleaned the floor in 45 minutes, being 10 minutes faster than the average robot.
The Shark Matrix may not include features included with other robots on this list, but it offers its own advantages in return. Considering the price, if you don’t need a mop, the Matrix is a fantastic pick.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 97.3% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.7% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 95.3% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 96.9% |
Long Hair Test | 93.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 43.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 89.0% |
Cleaning Speed | 45 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Excellent |
Noise Test | 65 dB |
Budget Robot Vacuums ($$)
Finally, let’s discuss the cheapest robot vacuums on this list.
Roomba i3+ EVO
Best For
- Includes an auto-empty docking station
- Has fantastic cleaning performance with 99.0% debris removal
- Great value considering performance
Considerations
- Struggled with long hair having the majority tangle
- Lacks obstacle avoidance technology
- Doesn’t have mopping functionality
Why It’s Best
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a slightly improved version of the original i3+ released in 2018. The robots are essentially the same, with the only difference being improved mapping features with the i3+ EVO. In addition, there is a non-plus version that doesn’t include the auto-empty docking station.
While it is the more basic version of Roomba’s robot line-up, performance is still fantastic. In testing, the i3+ EVO removed 99.0% of all debris, handled pet hair well, and had little issues with edges and crevices. Long hair performance wasn’t perfect and the majority of the hair tangled around the brushrolls. Navigation was good, but it lacks obstacle avoidance. However, thanks to the improved mapping features, you can set no-go zones and identify cleaning areas, unlike the original i3+.
The value of the Roomba i3+ EVO comes with its price, inclusion of the auto-empty dock, and excellent performance across the board. It may not have the newest features, but it still packs a lot of bang for your buck.
Type: Robot
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 16.9 oz. (500 mL)
Bagless (Dock): Yes, Unknown
Self-Empty: Yes
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a fantastic robot vacuum, especially considering the asking price. Despite not being the latest and greatest from Roomba, it still packs an auto-empty dock, improved mapping functionality, and fantastic cleaning performance.
In testing, it removed 99.0% of all debris across all floor types. In addition, pet hair performance was fantastic, edge debris removal was great, and it handled crevices perfectly. However, the i3+ EVO struggled with long hair, having the majority of the strands tangle around the brushroll.
Beyond that, the robot vacuum navigated well on a broad scale. It didn’t get stuck and returned to base consistently. That said, it lacks an RGB camera or any form of object recognition, so you will need to make sure the floor is relatively clear when cleaning.
The Roomba i3+ EVO has a lot to offer, especially when you consider how relatively cheap it is compared to other robot vacuums on this list. It doesn’t have everything, but it packs a lot of features and excellent performance that make it a solid choice for a budget friendly price.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 99.0% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.0% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 99.0% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 99.0% |
Long Hair Test | 46.7% |
Pet Hair Test | 93.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 98.7% |
Cleaning Speed | 90 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Excellent |
Noise Test | 66 dB |
Roborock S7
Best For
- Mopping functionality with scrubbing mop pads
- Compatible with auto-empty docking station
- Large coverage area of 3,200 sq. ft. while vacuuming
- Great cleaning performance with 96.7% debris removal
Considerations
- Lacks RGB camera and obstacle avoidance functionality
- Struggled with long hair
Why It’s Best
The Roborock S7 is a robot mop combo device that lacks a self empty docking station (at least in the standard version), but comes with a variety of helpful features to clean the floor. The app gives the user a variety of control options over the robot, it mops and vacuums, and you can control it with your voice.
In testing, it removed 96.7% of all debris, had solid mopping performance, and cleaned along edges and in crevices incredibly well. That said, the S7 struggled more with both hair types, having long hair tangles and failing to clean the pet hair from carpet. Despite the lack of obstacle avoidance technology, it navigated well, rarely getting stuck and returning to base.
While it may have some struggles, the Roborock S7 still stands as a great daily cleaner. Considering the asking price, it offers a great robot mop combo.
Type: Robot Mop Combo
Bagless (Robot): Yes, 15.9 oz. (470 mL)
Self-Empty: Yes
While it may not be as feature packed as some of the other robots on this list, the Roborock S7 still has a lot to offer. As a robot mop combo device, it packs excellent debris removal performance, cleaning up 96.7% of all debris across all floor types. Furthermore, it had practically perfect performance in our edge and crevice tests and cleaned a healthy amount of dirt while mopping.
However, the S7 had nearly all of the long hair tangle around the brushroll and only removed 66.0% of the pet hair. In addition, the mopping feature does not lift up to avoid carpets and the robot lacks obstacle avoidance technology. That said, navigation performance was solid despite the lack of newer tech. It rarely got stuck and always returned to base, cleaning the entire floor in 70 minutes.
The S7 doesn’t come with an auto-empty dock, but it is compatible with one. Without it, you will need to empty the debris manually, and manage the mop and water supply. Beyond that, the robot is fairly autonomous, especially if set up via the robust app.
All in all, what makes the Roborock S7 truly great is the level of performance for the asking price. It may not be the most advanced robot out there, but it is an inexpensive entry point into a robot mop combo cleaning solution.
Test Type | Test Data |
---|---|
Overall Debris Tests | 96.7% |
Hardwood Floor Test | 99.0% |
Low Pile Carpet Test | 94.0% |
High Pile Carpet Test | 97.0% |
Long Hair Test | 13.3% |
Pet Hair Test | 66.0% |
Crevice Test | 100% |
Edge Cleaning Test | 97.7% |
Mop Test | Very Good |
Cleaning Speed | 70 min. |
Obstacle Avoidance | No |
Build Quality Test | Excellent |
Noise Test | 72 dB |
Cleaning Performance Comparison
Cleaning performance is one of the most important factors for robot vacuums, with debris removal being of the utmost importance. In addition to testing debris removal, we also check how well the robot manages long and pet hair, cleans along edges and in crevices, and, if available, how well it mops.
Category | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI | Roborock Q Revo | Samsung Jet Bot AI+ | Roomba S9+ | Shark Matrix | Roomba i3+ EVO | Roborock S7 | Average Robot Vacuum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Cleaning Score | 92.6 | 95.6 | 92.9 | 90.0 | 95.1 | 91.4 | 95.8 | 89.3 | 89.1 |
Overall Debris Removed | 97.9 | 95.5 | 95.2 | 95.8 | 99.0 | 97.3 | 99.0 | 96.7 | 92.5 |
Hardwood Overall | 99.5 | 97.4 | 99.0 | 93.9 | 99.0 | 99.7 | 99.0 | 99.0 | 97.1 |
Low Pile Overall | 97.2 | 92.0 | 95.7 | 97.8 | 99.0 | 95.3 | 99.0 | 94.0 | 89.7 |
High Pile Overall | 96.9 | 97.1 | 91.0 | 95.7 | 99.0 | 96.9 | 99.0 | 97.0 | 90.3 |
Long Hair Tangle Avoidance | 36.7 | 100 | 53.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 | 93.3 | 46.7 | 13.3 | 51.8 |
Pet Hair Removed | 67.0 | 96.0 | 90.0 | 66.0 | 87.0 | 43.0 | 93.0 | 66.0 | 75.6 |
Edge Test | 100 | 99.0 | 99.9 | 88.1 | 100 | 89.0 | 98.7 | 97.7 | 87.2 |
Crevice Test | 100 | 99.7 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99.1 |
Mop Test | 92.0 | 92.0 | 92.0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 84.0 | 88.8 |
Across all floor and debris types, none of the vacuums had cleaning results below 95% overall. The robots that struggled the most, albeit not by much, were the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roboorck Q Revo, with the Revo receiving the lowest score of 95.2%. However, all robot vacuums were notably better than our testing average of 92.5% debris removal.
Long hair performance wasn’t nearly as impressive, the majority of our robots failed to avoid hair tangles. That said, robot vacuums tend to struggle with long hair. On average, robot vacuums we test have 48.2% of the hair tangle in the brushroll. Only the ECOVACS X2 OMNI, the Roborock Q Revo, and the Shark Matrix had better results than average. Even then the Q Revo only barely beat the average.
Again, pet hair performance wasn’t perfect for every robot. The average robot we test removes 75.6% of the pet hair and half of the robots on this list beat the average, with the X2 OMNI being the best. On the other hand, half of the robots failed to beat the average, with the Shark Matrix being the worst.
Beyond that, edges and crevices didn’t pose a major threat to any robot and any of the devices that had mops and great mopping performance.
Navigation Test Comparison
Navigation encompasses the robot’s ability to clean on a broad scale without getting stuck, how quickly it can clean, and the effectiveness of its obstacle avoidance technology.
Robot | Navigation Score | Cleaning Speed | Shoe Avoided | Mug Avoided | Cord Avoided | Pet Waste Avoided | Return to Base? | Fully Cleaned? | Get Stuck? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | 91.9 | 65 min. | Yes | Partial | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI | 90.1 | 39 min. | No | Partial | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | No |
Roborock Q Revo | 90.9 | 55 min. | Partial | Partial | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Samsung Jet Bot AI+ | 93.7 | 105 min. | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Roomba S9+ | 82.4 | 55 min. | Partial | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Shark Matrix | 79.3 | 45 min. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Roomba i3+ EVO | 77.3 | 90 min. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Roborock S7 | 78.2 | 70 min. | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Across the board, all robots cleaned our office and studio space effectively, without getting stuck and returning to base every time. The X2 OMNI was the fastest at 39 minutes while the Samsung JetBot AI+ was the slowest at 105 minutes.
The biggest difference between robots is the presence or lack of obstacle avoidance technology and how well it performs. The Roborock S7, i3+ EVO, and Shark Matrix all lack obstacle avoidance technology and completely failed the test.
However, no other robot on this list had perfect performance across the board. The Samsung JetBot Ai+ was the closest to perfection, with 2 partial touches on the cord and shoe. Every other robot had more partial touches, or failed to avoid some objects completely.
Noise Comparison
To measure how loud a robot is while in operation, we run the device in each power mode on high pile carpet. Using a sound meter, we measure the level of noise generated from about 3’ away. In addition, we measure how loud the self-empty feature is while in operation.
Robot | Ambient Noise | Mode 1 | Mode 2 | Mode 3 | Mode 4 | Self-Empty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | 40.7 dB | 64.5 dB | 66.9 dB | 70.7 dB | 74.5 dB | 82.2 dB |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI | 40.7 dB | 53.0 dB | 65.5 dB | 66.0 dB | 70.4 dB | 77.4 dB |
Roborock Q Revo | 39.3 dB | 64.5 dB | 65.1 dB | 65.3 dB | 66.6 dB | 77.6 dB |
Samsung Jet Bot AI+ | 42.3 dB | 67.5 dB | 67.9 dB | 69.1 dB | n/a | 80.5 dB |
Roomba S9+ | 40.1 dB | 66.7 dB | 69.5 dB | 72.2 dB | n/a | 76.3 dB |
Shark Matrix | 49.3 dB | 59.7 dB | 62.4 dB | 65.1 dB | n/a | 70.7 dB |
Roomba i3+ EVO | 39.8 dB | 65.8 dB | n/a | n/a | n/a | 86.0 dB |
Roborock S7 | 41.2 dB | 66.7 dB | 69.7 dB | 70.1 dB | 72.0 dB | 86.5 dB |
Average Robot Vacuum | 41.1 dB | 60.7 dB | 64.1 dB | 67.0 dB | 69.1 dB | 78.5 dB |
Across all of the robots highest suction modes, the level of noise is fairly similar. All robots made noise in the 65 – 75 dB range, with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra being the loudest at 74.5 dB.
The Shark Matrix was the quietest on its highest power mode at 65.1 dB, but the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI was the quietest overall at 53.0 dB on its lowest suction power.
Usability Comparison
Usability ranges for each robot vacuum depending on what features are available to it. Some devices, including the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra come with robust docking station that automatically perform maintenance. Others like the Roborock S7 lack the docking station, but have mopping functionality. Multiple robots on this list lack the mopping feature and function only as a vacuum.
The table below shows which features and accessories are included with each vacuum. Please keep in mind that some vacuums have multiple variants that may come with a different set of accessories.
Robot | App Connectivity | Mapping Features | Obstacle Avoidance | Bagless Dustbin | Dustbin Capacity | Auto-Empty | Auto-Wash | Auto-Dry |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 10.1 oz. (300 mL) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6.1 oz. (180 mL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Roborock Q Revo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 11.8 oz. (350 mL) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Samsung Jet Bot AI+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6.8 oz. (200 mL) | Yes | No | No |
Roomba S9+ | Yes | Yes | No | No | 12.8 oz. (379 mL) | Yes | No | No |
Shark Matrix | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 6.4 oz. (189 mL) | Yes | No | No |
Roomba i3+ EVO | Yes | Yes | No | No | 16.9 oz. (500 mL) | Yes | No | No |
Roborock S7 | Yes | Yes | No | No | 15.9 oz. (470 mL) | Yes; with base station purchase | No | No |
Maintenance Comparison
Maintenance varies depending on the set of features and the inclusion or lack of a docking station.
Robot | Estimated Annual Maintenance Costs | Auto-Empty | Auto-Wash | Auto-Dry |
---|---|---|---|---|
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | $25.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI | $48.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Roborock Q Revo | $45.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Samsung Jet Bot AI+ | $26.99 | Yes | No | No |
Roomba S9+ | $22.99 | Yes | No | No |
Shark Matrix | $19.99 | Yes | No | No |
Roomba i3+ EVO | $16.49 | Yes | No | No |
Roborock S7 | $18.98 | Yes; with base station purchase | No | No |
Average Robot Vacuum | $23.51 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Robots with docks and mops like the Roborock Q Revo, S8 Pro Ultra, and ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI require less daily maintenance thanks to the dock. However, the dock itself will require maintenance and the frequency will vary depending on use. In addition, these robots tend to be the most expensive to maintain annually as they require more things to replace.
On the other hand, robots like the Roomba S9+, i3+ EVO, Samsung JetBot AI+, and Shark Matrix all have the docking station, but lack the mop. This requires a lot less maintenance than the robots with mops, but still costs a bit more than robots without docks thanks to replacement debris bags. The notable exception to this is the Shark Matrix, which has a bagless debris bin.
The Roborock S7 has mopping functionality, but lacks the docking station. While it is compatible with it, it doesn’t come with it upon initial purchase. This robot will require the most frequent attention but be one of the cheaper options to maintain.
How We Test
We test and score robot vacuum cleaners using a battery of 13 data-driven tests. Our tests are a mix of objective testing and subjective assessment, taking into consideration cleaning performance, build quality, navigational abilities, usability, and maintenance.
To choose the best robot vacuum, we based our selection on the top-performing / highest-scoring robot vacuums according to our objective testing. These tests analyze the device’s performance across these 5 critical factors.
Additionally, price and value were also taken into consideration. While there are other robot vacuums that could have appeared on our list, we wanted to include the best options available for different price ranges.
Our testing process is detailed and rigorous. The links below have detailed write-ups and graphs to explain our testing process, scoring formulas, and the criteria for how we choose the best robot vacuums.
How We Test & Score
How We Test & Score Robot Vacuums
All Robot Vacuum Reviews
Robot Vacuum Comparisons
- Roomba S9+ vs. S9 vs. i7+ vs. i7 vs. e5
- Roomba i7+ vs. i7+ vs. e5
- Roomba e5 vs. e6
- Shark vs. Roomba
- Neato D3 vs. D5
- Roomba 960 vs 980
- Roomba 690 vs. 960
- Roomba 650 vs. 690
- Roomba 690 vs. 890
- Roomba 890 vs. 980
- Roomba 890 vs 960
- Roomba 860 vs. 890
- Roomba 614 vs. 690
- Neato vs. Roomba
- Bobsweep vs. Roomba
- iLIfe vs. Roomba
- Eufy vs. Roomba
- Roomba 675 vs. 690
- Neato D5 vs. D7
More Resources
- How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet
- How to Remove Blood Stains from Everything
- How to Clean Windows like a Professional
- How to Remove Dog & Cat Hair Around Your Home
- How to Make a Natural Wood Floor Cleaner
- How to Make Natural Household Cleaners
- How to Make a Natural Grout Cleaner
- How to Clean & Sanitize Your Kid’s Toys
- How to Vacuum
- Home Cleaning Schedule
- What is dust made of?
- 21 Dirty Spots in Your Home That Need Vacuuming
- 5 Mistakes You’re Making When Cleaning Hardwood, Tile, & Carpet
The Last Word
If you still are not sure which robot vacuum is the right choice for your home, please drop us a comment below or send us an email, and we’d be happy to help you decide.
In addition, if you feel like we’ve missed out on a particular model, let us know!