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Vacuuming is definitely one of our least favorite household chores. Who wants to lug a bulky machine around the house, especially if you’ve got kids and pets that go running every time you hit the switch? Still, our floors, which are constantly accumulating dust and dirt, won’t clean themselves — or will they? As a matter of fact, the best robot vacuum cleaners on the market will do just that.
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners of 2019
Robotic vacuum cleaners have come a long way since the first model, which frequently bumped into things, got stuck, or left certain areas unclean, was introduced by Swedish company Electrolux in 1996. As technology has advanced, it’s given way to newer, better machines with high-tech, advanced features, such as WiFi connectivity, smart room mapping, and self-emptying capabilities.
But every household has different needs. Whether you’ve got a castle full of critters (and tons of pet hair that needs vacuuming to go along with them) or foot traffic galore thanks to frequent visits from family members and friends trekking in and out all day, there’s a robotic vacuum option out there that can help shoulder the burden (quite literally!) of Hoovering up your floors, each with its own unique selling points.
While you’re likely familiar with iRobot’s Roomba (there are, in fact, three different models on this list, all of which are earning rave reviews online), there are also plenty of great, lesser-known brands that may be better-suited to your cleaning prerequisites and budget.
From a eufy model that’s quieter than your average microwave to an LG that will wow the tech crowds, there’s a lot to choose from on the market right now. Keep scrolling to shopFIRST‘spicks for the best robotic vacuum cleaners to for your individual household needs!
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Where to buy: $129.99 (Originally $159.99), Amazon
While many robot vacuums will cost you upwards of $500, with some even creeping past the $1,000 mark, you don’t have to drop a ton of money to get a decent version for your home. The iLife V3 picks up both pet and human hair, as well as dirt, dust, and debris on hardwood, tile, laminate, or stone floors, with a compact design that's ideal for cruising under beds and furniture to get at those hard-to-reach places.
No roller brush means it’s tangle-free, and you can pre-set it to start at any time you desire. It runs for 90 to 100 minutes before automatically returning to its home base to recharge once it’s finished.
One recent reviewer sang its praises in the comments, writing, “Honestly, [this] machine has made my carpeting look like new and my floors are without any fallen crumbs. My little helper has made my house feel like new and look great! I now have two of them — one for upstairs and one for the main floor. I wouldn't go back to vacuuming carpet ever!"
The eufy RoboVac 11 navigates every nook and cranny of your abode with ease thanks to an infrared-sensor that allows it to seamlessly avoid obstacles and drop-sensing technology for avoiding falls, with strong suction power for up to 90 minutes of battery life.
It’s markedly thinner than most options out there, so it’s perfect for making its way into tight spaces in your home. With three distinct cleaning modes and a triple-filter system, one recent reviewer detailed its highlights, writing, “I ordered this eufy RoboVac 11 back in May 2018 after researching a lot on vacuum robots. ... This machine has changed our lives. It leaves the hardwood and carpets very clean, and it is a pleasure to walk barefoot not feeling any dirt or particles on the floor. This vacuum is very, very quiet while still holding a very strong [suction]. ... We just press on the start button and it starts doing the job. Very easy to clean."
The reviewer concluded: "After one year, I still can say this is a great product.”
If you’re smart-home obsessed and constantly on the lookout for the most high-tech home goods and gadgets out there, look no further than the LG HOM-BOT Wi-Fi-enabled robotic vacuum. This machine not only comes in a trendy rose gold shade, it's packed with tons of incredible Wi-Fi-friendly features that can be synced to your smartphone, including a camera for viewing and guarding your home when you’re away, a "cleaning diary" that lets you see where your robot has been that day, seven smart-cleaning modes, and a smart-resume function.
Reviewers praise it for how quiet it is, too, making it a must-buy for anyone that loves the latest and greatest innovations and loathes the distracting sound of traditional vacuum cleaners.
Winning high praise for its ability to zap pet hair and dust, dander, and other common allergens due to its high-efficiency filtering system, the iRobot Roomba 980 will check all your boxes.
More than 1,600 5-star reviews on Amazon — and counting! — rave about this machine's WiFi connectivity, three-stage cleaning system, powerful suction, room mapping, and battery life that lasts up to 120 minutes.
One Amazon buyer called it the “best purchase of [her] life,” adding, “With all the dog hair this machine picks up everyday, I save hours worth of sweeping and vacuuming each week. The first couple of days I had to empty the bin a few times during a cleaning, but now it will do a full cleaning without filling up. Be cautious with snug places, like where your floor mat hugs the baseboard under a cabinet. It can get stuck, and the top of the vacuum will scratch. I recommend just pulling your mats out before getting it started.”
Even top-of-the-line robotic vacuum models can occasionally struggle with easily navigating their way throughout your home. Neato’s Botvac solves that dilemma due to its unique ‘D’ shape. Where traditionally round vacs struggle to reach corners, this unique design inserts itself into those tiny corner crevices.
One satisfied customer wrote, “I absolutely love the floor plan feature. They’ve also made really great software updates and overall improvements since my first Neato purchase five years ago. The thing never gets stuck!! Great battery life and easy to keep clean."
This one’s a splurge, to be sure, but the iRobot Roomba S9+ is dubbed the “world’s best robot vacuum” for a reason. Not only does it vacuum on its own, it empties itself of debris, too, so you won't even think about vacuuming as it works its magic.
It's got a three-stage cleaning system, advanced sensor technology, and optical sensors for smart mapping to provide the most thorough sweep of your space.
Reviewer Jaime G. noted, “This Roomba S9+ is a welcome addition to our house. ... Our main floor is about 1500 square feet, and it can clean the whole house on one single charge. Our floors are tile and we have several area rugs. It cleans all without any problem. The self-emptying feature is a real labor saver. Be prepared to be patient at first when the Roomba is mapping your floor plan. This is a little time consuming; but once the mapping is finished the Roomba cleans quickly and efficiently. The ability to control the Roomba from your mobile phone is [another] great feature.”
When you’ve got a lot of ground to cover, you might find that some robotic vacuums simply can’t cut it. That's not the case with Roborock’s S5 robotic vacuum and mop cleaner, which sweeps and mops, giving you the ability to clear your floors of crumbs, spills, and stains without ever lifting a finger.
With a battery that lasts up to 150 minutes per cleaning, this appliance ideal for large areas. It also has a bionic mopping system and smart navigation to ensure it effortlessly roams your home without scratching your floors or furniture.
A recent reviewer noted that while you'll need to empty its filters often, it did what other robotic cleaners couldn't in her home. “I bought a cheap robotic vacuum and it couldn’t handle our carpet. A friend highly recommended this one, because you just plug it in and it goes. It is amazing, I carried it out to my screened in porch and to different levels in my house and just run it. It doesn’t fall down the stairs and if the item in its way moves, or my dog, it will clean the spot. I can start, stop, dock and program it from my phone anywhere. I run it daily and love it."
Your kids’ messes will be no match for iRobot’s Roomba 960 robot vacuum, which has a premium three-stage cleaning system built to tackle all kinds of debris, from spilled snacks on the floor to dirt drudged in from clothes and shoes. Compared to 600-series models, this little beauty boasts five times the suction power, meaning your days of headaches over clutter will be a thing of the past.
It's also a top pick for pet hair, since it captures 99 percent of allergens, pollen, and dust as small as 10 microns, and can be programmed using the iRobot app.
Along with great tech features, eufy’s RoboVac 30C boasts a sound no louder than your average microwave, which is perfect for those with babies and small children and pets who bark as soon as the vacuum appears from the utility closet.
Amazon reviewer Kelli raves, “I'll start with the pros. Holy cow is it QUIET! You can have a normal conversation while it is running. Great suction, it can pick up very large pieces of food off the ground. The maneuverability — which I was worried about — couldn't be any better. It climbs up and over rugs (and doesn't jostle around our smaller rugs, which is nice). It gets all the way under our couches and under the kitchen cabinets. It's even small enough to fit between the chair legs in our dining room."
Best Allergy-Friendly Robotic Vacuum — ECOVACS DEEBOT N79S
Where to buy: $199.99 (Originally $299.99), Amazon
Sure, this vacuum is equipped with plenty of tech options, such as Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, as well as advanced features including direct control, scheduling, status updates, and multiple cleaning modes, but the ECOVACS DEEBOT N79S robot vacuum cleanerreally shines when it comes to removing common allergens from your home. Reviewers praise this robot for its fine filters, which remove dust particles with ease and even help with pet allergies.
Amazon reviewer Rachel Q. gushed, “I bought this little guy for the pet hair on my wood floors — they drive me insane. I have seen an improvement both in my floors and allergies. I will own one of these for the rest of my life. It's so nice to just come home to clean floors everyday. Sweeping is one less thing to worry about and the payment plan makes it way worth the investment.”
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