I've been reviewing robot vacuum cleaners since Ecovacs Robotics brought their first Deebot to Australia about a decade ago. So I like to think I've learned a few things about what to look for when buying one – knowledge I've used to select the best robot vacuums in Australia right now.
Manufacturers don't make it easy, right? They make every spec sheet sound brilliant, but you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to robot vacuums. It's understandable that you want an affordable model, and there are many people who make sacrifices to keep costs down; you just need to be able to understand what those sacrifices mean for your personal use case.
Likewise, there's no need to spend thousands of dollars on a robovac, although you'll get top-of-the-line models at premium prices that offer plenty of smart features. Some of them, like agent voice assistants and Matter connectivity, aren't really necessary, but you may want pet-specific features that cheaper models don't have. But not all expensive models are reliable cleaners.
So what is a good robot vacuum cleaner to buy? I took a look at the dozens of robovac discounts in Amazon's mid-year sale and picked out four at different prices even though they all do pretty much the same thing: vacuum, mop, and clean themselves. Without a discount, they are all expensive, but the deals make each of them a good value proposition for different reasons.
Follow my live coverage of the Amazon Mid-Year Sale for more discounts on vacuum cleaners.
My best robovac offers
What to look for in a robot vacuum cleaner
I chose the above robotic vacuums based on my own experience or that of a colleague testing the exact model or a related one that is very similar. When we test robovacs here at TechRadar, we look at specifics like cleaning ability, battery life, base performance, and more.
Let me break it down into easier terms for you here, so you can choose for yourself the best automatic cleaning machine from my four picks or any other model you've been considering.
1. suction power
It's in the name: the main function of a robovac is to vacuum and to do this it needs good suction power. Gone are the days when 6,000 Pa were considered leaders in their class. It's now over 20,000 Pa. Now, while higher suction power is a good thing, a robovac's cleaning ability also depends on the airflow inside the robot to ensure it can suck up even the finest particles and push them into the on-board container. If you have carpets, definitely look for high suction specs, but hard floors will clean easily with less.
2. mop
Virtually all robovacs available today can also mop, so you're paying for the feature anyway, but their ability to do so varies. Older models barely wet the floor, but newer models allow you to set a water flow rate that suits your floor type. Some models that use circular mops can apply a small scrubbing motion and a small amount of downward pressure to remove some stains, but I have found that roller mops work best. However, robovacs with rollers are top quality, although models like the Roborock Saros 10 mentioned above can mop very well with their pads. Just be sure to choose one that can extend both pads outward to clean the edges.
3. Robot height and threshold clearance
Most robots have a small disk on top that houses their navigation technology and sometimes a camera. This may prevent the droid from rolling under some low furniture, meaning there may be uncleaned areas left. If you have base units, choose a model without a disc or with a retractable disc, but these are premium options. Similarly, you'll want a robot that can clear at least a 3cm threshold or you'll have to move it manually if it gets stuck somewhere. Once again, premium models can now exceed 4 cm.
4. Spring performance
You should definitely make sure that the robot mops are thoroughly cleaned after each mopping session and then dried as well. This prevents the growth of germs and the buildup of odors. Now, every all-in-one model has a base that uses warm water and air to do it, but the most effective cleaners use hot water and warm air for the same task. However, I have yet to find a spring that doesn't make too much noise when sucking dirt into the dust bag; I'd love to.
5. Navigation and obstacle avoidance
This is very important, of course. If the technician can't guarantee that the robot can go around socks, shoes, toys or anything else on the floor, what's the point? So make sure you find a model with good software that allows you to travel a path that is both effective and efficient. You'll also want one that doesn't keep going around in circles, cleaning the same spot multiple times.
6. Battery life
This really shouldn't be a problem with most robovacs available today, as most offer a decent run time, but you should definitely choose one that can clean for at least 20 to 30 minutes on higher settings. Unfortunately, manufacturers only list the maximum runtime based on the lowest settings, so take this with a pinch of salt as real-world use will never get you more than 100 minutes, as some spec sheets claim.
7. Other features to consider
You should ensure that the mops can be extended to clean the edges, while a side brush will usually take care of the vacuuming part. However, keep in mind that most robot vacuum cleaners, no matter how expensive, can miss corners. If you have pets, there are premium models that now offer features to prevent pet poop and increased suction power to vacuum up hair and dander. Even just for the family, you'll definitely want a robot that uses an anti-tangle center bar brush. Smart features like voice control or Matter connectivity are nice but unnecessary for the average user. And while some robovacs can function as a security robot, allowing it to monitor your home through its built-in camera, there are security risks with this feature, another nice-to-have but not necessary.
8. Never pay full price
If there is an appliance, you should never pay RRP for its robot vacuum cleaners. They often have discounts, which means you can get a really good one at a better price.
