There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless Dyson. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, why not outsource that tedious task to one of the best robot vacuums?
The Mashable shopping team has put dozens of robot vacuum cleaners to the test in our own homes, and now we're here to help you find the right bot for yours.
Are Roombas the best robot vacuums?
Though Roombas are really good robot vacuums, they aren't the only good robot vacuums.
iRobot dominated the robot vacuum realm from the early 2000s up until a few years ago, so it's no surprise that much of the general public forgets that "Roomba" isn't simply a generic term for any robotic vacuum.
But Roombas officially aren't in a league of their own anymore: You can't even Google "Roomba" without a question involving Shark robot vacuums popping up, and other brands like Roborock and Eufy have entered the chat with a fury. And we're here to put some respect on their names.
We're regularly testing robot vacuums at multiple price points and keeping a list of the top performers based on criteria like smart mapping, obstacle navigation, pet hair pickup, self emptying, suction power, and the bot's brushroll system. The theme of robot vacuum releases at CES 2024 and the surrounding slew of robovacs released this year also cement mopping capabilities as a standard feature — so on top of various dry vacuuming tests, we're simultaneously keeping tabs on scrubbing efficacy to find the best robot vacuum and mop.
Our evaluation goes down in our own homes on carpet, rugs, tile, and hardwood floors, complete with a watchful eye on how seamlessly each robot vacuum handles a change in floor type mid-cleaning.
Prime Day is huge for robot vacuum deals
Whatever your budget, your pool of options is bound to grow during Prime Day. When the first Prime Day went down, robot vacuums were still a niche product, but nearly a decade later, they're a staple category of Amazon's viral shopping event. We expect every brand in our guide to participate — even iRobot should go hard despite the end of its acquisition by Amazon.
So, if you've promised yourself not to stray past the $300 mark, you'll soon have way more self-emptying options if you wait for Prime Day. Likewise, $500 will soon get you a self washing and drying robot vacuum and mop combo, when most of those will run you at least $800 in real (non-Prime Day) life. We know this because several noteworthy robot vacuum deals went live in the weeks preceding Prime Day, with more to come on July 16 when the annual sale officially starts. We're tracking these deals, of course, and noting which ones have dropped to record-low pricing.
To quell that decision fatigue, we've narrowed down your shopping list to seven top options. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget in 2024: