The 9 Best Robot Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Ecovacs Deebot N8+ Vacuum & Mop Robot

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.7/5
• Features
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

It would not be an exaggeration to say this robot vacuum can change lives. After it sailed through our lab with strong scores across the board, it continued to impress in a home setting, giving us back precious time in our week and delivering on its promise to clean floors of all kinds. The vacuum and mop settings worked smoothly together, and both functions can be used in the same cleaning session. In other words, you can come home to vacuumed rugs and carpets and mopped hard floors, without having to lift a finger. (And don't worry—it's also programmed to only release water on hard floors, so your carpets won't be drenched.) We were also pleased to see that its docking mechanism performs well, and it steers itself to its destination smoothly.

It's user-friendly and intuitive, too. Once we had it up and running (There's a QR code to scan and an app to download.), we were impressed with how this machine methodically mapped out the lab room's floor with its laser navigation, creating an efficient path for itself and avoiding large obstacles along the way. We saw the same effectiveness in the home setting, too. With the app, you can set it it to run in key areas of your home (high-traffic hallways, for example), or choose certain areas that need more attention.

If we could change anything about this robot vacuum and mop, we'd make the brushes self-cleaning and give it the option to hold cleaning solution opposed to just water. But, we worked around this limitation by simply soaking the mop pad with solution, so the solution didn't go through the interior components of the machine. We'd also lower the sound level of the robot vacuum when it runs and empties itself. These are minor quirks on an impressive machine, though. If it suits your budget, we highly recommend the Ecovacs Deebot N8+.

Price at time of publish: $650

_{Battery Life: 110 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Laser mapping, obstacle avoidance, smart recharge, interactive map, carpet detection, cleaning report}

Best Value

Black + Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum with Maintenance Kit

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  3/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.8/5
• Features
  4/5

From Black + Decker, the RoboSeries Robot Vacuum rivals many higher-priced models, but for a fraction of the cost. It handles messes like food crumbs, dirt, hair, and dust with ease, and we appreciated that it tends to go over a spot multiple times to pick up all debris. Now, to be clear, this pick does not have mopping capabilities like some of our other picks, including our best overall. But, it still impressed us with its vacuuming.

Like some of the other machines we tried, there were some minor issues with getting it connected to Wi-Fi. In this case, it took five attempts. Once the app was up and running, though, it proved to be easy to use, and the "tap to run" feature worked great. We loved the scheduling feature of the app, and appreciated the flexibility of setting the preferred mode (like smart, wall follow, and spiral). You can opt to have a notification sent to you when cleaning begins, too, and use the app to check a map of where the robot has cleaned.

We also found this robot vacuum to be quite intuitive to objects in its path, though we did witness one instance of it getting stuck under a vanity and had to intervene. Other than that, it maneuvers super well, and displayed no problems with chairs or tables. It does not let you know when it needs to be emptied, but we've found that a weekly empty routine works well for small spaces, such as a studio apartment. It's a bit noisy and produces the same noise as a traditional upright vacuum, so plan accordingly if you intend to run it while you're home or you want your home to be quiet for your baby's nap.

Ultimately, in our eyes, Black + Decker has squeezed a lot of effective features into this machine, all for a very reasonable price. It's a handy little machine at a good value.

Price at time of publish: $170

_{Battery Life: 120 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: 12.6 inches | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: No | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, self-charging}

Best Splurge

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.3/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4.8/5
• Features
  4.5/5

If you're comfortable with spending a little (or a lot) extra for a sleek, smart appliance, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum is an excellent choice. It's an efficient cleaning tool and an overall time-saver, and while it's priced higher than many of our recommendations, it proved more effective than manual mop and vacuum combos we've tried. It was able to self-manage multiple surfaces and types of cleaning every time it ran. If you've dreamed about coming home to spotless floors, this is the kind of machine that can make that happen.

What really sets the S8 Pro Ultra apart is the range of self-led features that the machine manages. It automatically self-empties the debris collected by the vacuum into the larger collection bag (which promises to hold up to seven weeks' worth of material). It self-cleans in between uses. It self-refills the water tank, and it even self-dries its own mop pad, too, proving to be one of the most hands-off machines of its kind. The app will let you know when the water needs to be emptied, as well.

It took a bit of trial-and-error to get it to work with our Wi-Fi, but once it was up and running, we were pleased with its many cleaning modes that you can adjust room by room. So, if your dining room and entryway need more attention than your guest room, it's easy to program the S8 Pro Ultra accordingly with just a few taps of your smartphone. We did find that it bumped into a glass table a few times, but otherwise it maneuvers just fine in a home environment—even fitting under couches. It's definitely an investment, but we think the amount of time we get back in our week, and the top-notch features you receive, makes it worthy of consideration.

Price at time of publish: $1,600

_{Battery Life: 180 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: Approximately 13.9 inches | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Filter Type: Washable E11 Air Filter | Smart Capabilities: Selective room cleaning, high precision mapping, obstacle recognition, voice control, app control, self-washing, self-drying, self-refilling}

Best Basic

ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  2/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Features
  4/5

Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest things. At least, that's what we found when testing the ILIFE V3s Pro Robot Vacuum. It doesn't have an app or voice control features that would make it "smart," but this simplistic design makes it easier to use out of the box, and it's why we consider it an excellent starter robot vacuum. We see it as an especially great choice if you want to dip your toe into the robot vacuum world, without having to download apps or navigate smart mapping features. It's a great pick if you're sticking to a budget as well, since the lack of advanced features leads to a wallet-friendly price tag.

When testing in the lab, this robot vacuum was ready to go in just two minutes. We loved that it had an obvious power switch and easy-to-use remote control. There is no mopping feature on this vacuum, but it did a pretty good job vacuuming, picking up most of the debris on its first try. It struggled with cereal tucked into a corner, but corners are a pretty common pain point even more expensive models can't always tackle. (Some robot vacuums feature a square design to help them maneuver into these uniquely tight spaces.) However, this model did avoid obstacles well, including chocolate we placed in its path to mimic dog poop. We found that, even when other robot vacuums were getting stuck in the chocolate that melted, this machine did not get stuck at any point. We also appreciated the low profile, and how emptying this robot vacuum required very little effort.

Our home testing experienced echoed our lab findings. The vac picked up dog hair in hard-to-reach places (such as under the bed!), which was a highlight. It struggled under some lower furniture, and uneven flooring and bumps proved challenging, too. Still, despite its lack of smart features, there's lots to appreciate about this easy-to-use and effective machine.

Price at time of publish: $169

_{Battery Life: 90 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: 11.8 inches | Mapping: No | Self-Emptying: No | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Anti-bump and anti-fall, programmable schedule, self-charging}

Best for Pet Hair

Ecovacs Deebot T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.8/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Features
  5/5

The ECOVACS T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo earned the approval of a family dog during the at-home testing phase, something that can't be said about many machines. It's quiet and subtle, and thanks to the TrueDetect 3D technology, it even steered around the pet at times. The quiet operation is not a reflection of lower power, though. This machine definitely packs a punch when it comes to cleaning. Pet hair, zip-tie scraps, screws from home projects, and other debris were no match for its strong suction power. (However, a screw did get jammed at one point, so while the machine is strong enough, components aren't necessarily sized for larger pick-ups.) The mop feature proved efficient as well, and there's a mobile fragrance option if you like to add scents to your space.

We were pleased with the streamlined self-empty feature, too. We checked the robot bin's capacity every other day to make sure dog fur was getting cleared properly, but homes with less fur and debris could probably go longer. Notably, the larger 2.5-liter dust bag can go up to 60 days without emptying, too, depending on cleaning habits.

We didn't encounter many issues with this robot vacuum and mop, but it's worth noting any larger items trapped in the machine can affect suction or the self-empty feature, so we recommend double-checking your floor for misplaced or dropped items, especially as you're getting used to its abilities. Also, the mop pads it uses are disposable, which is something to keep in mind if you're mindful about waste. These are minor issues, though, and we ultimately found the T9+ to be a really high-performing machine that will work well in households with (or without) pets.

Price at time of publish: $800

_{Battery Life: 180 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: Approximately 13.9 inches | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Filter Type: Cartridge | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, object avoidance, flooring identification, 3D mapping, mobile fragrance}

Best for Apartments

iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  3.5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Features
  3/5

For apartments and smaller homes, where high-tech floor mapping and small object avoidance aren't as essential, the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum is a reliable and fairly-priced option. While this vacuum may lack some of the latest smart features on the market, it is equipped with a HEPA filter, which helps trap all of the dust that easily accumulates in crowded, smaller spaces. You'll find that this filter keeps dust from recirculating back into your home's air. According to Deni Ivanov, Digital Marketing Director at Royal Cleaning, "Your robot vacuum's filter is its very heart—it ensures even the smallest of smallest dirt particles are captured so you can have a debris-free floor." So, this is feature worth knowing about and investing in, especially if you're trying to achieve a next-level clean or have allergies.

The Roomba 694 was easy to assemble and empty, and we loved that it did exactly what it promised to do: suck up debris very well. It didn't avoid small objects like socks, though, so you'll definitely need to make sure your floors are clear of tiny things before running it in your space. It's also slightly louder than some other models, so plan to turn up your TV's volume or move your conversation into another room as it cleans. While the Roomba 694 doesn't come with many bells and whistles, the app is easy to use for the initial setup. We appreciated the step-by-step guidance, which was thorough enough that we didn't need the instruction manual. As a Wi-Fi-connected machine, you can also schedule cleaning sessions and set up voice controls with Alexa or Google Assistant through the app.

After six months of regular use, we've come to appreciate not having to supervise the device or the brush roll cleaning process. Though, over time, we've seen that hair does get stuck on this vacuum's brush roll, which requires some regular maintenance to keep up suction power. We're comfortable with the bit of maintenance required for an otherwise efficient and effective machine.

Price at time of publish: $274

_{Battery Life: 90 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: 7 inches | Mapping: No | Self-Emptying: No | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, voice control, smart recharge, anti-drop and anti-collision}

Best for Large Houses

Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Features
  4.8/5

If you're planning to task your robot vacuum with whole-house cleaning, the ECOVACS T10 OMNI Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo will accept the challenge. We experienced firsthand how well it tackles daily dust and debris on floors, as well as drips and spills from pets and kids. There is a bit of a learning curve to get to the know the app and the machine itself, and as the machine gets to "know" your space, too. Still, we were very pleased with the expert-level cleaning that this model offers. (We'd even go as far as saying the floors feel clean enough to eat from.) With a baby in the home where we tested, there were lots of extra messes around mealtimes, and we came to lean on this machine multiple times a day, every day, getting hours back each week. It also required less "corrections" than other robot vacuums, rarely stumbling and getting stuck.

There are enough options, settings, and functions that users will likely find preferences for what works for them and their home, whether that be scheduled touch-ups, consistent spot cleans, regular deep cleans, or a combination. Some features require a bit more maintenance than others (keeping the 4-liter mop tank full with clean water if you regularly mop, for example), but we found these small steps to still be a fraction of the effort that hands-on cleaning requires. Plus, to be fair, the 3-liter dust bags in the base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and dust, so that's a task you won't need to think about very often.

One quirk that we discovered is that the subtle addition of mop pads can affect this robot's efficiency on carpet and rugs. We found removing them completely when we weren't using the mop function made it run smoother. Another minor issue is the noise level of the self-empty feature. It's loud and disruptive, so be warned that it's pretty jarring and disruptive to pets.

Overall, we've been very impressed with how smooth and efficient this machine is, and how it's enhanced the quality of life in our home testing setting. While it's on the pricier side, if you have room in your budget, it's an amazing cleaning companion to add to your household.

Price at time of publish: $1,200

_{Battery Life: Varies by mode, up to 260 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: approximately 14.3 inches | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Filter Type: Washable high efficiency filter | Smart Capabilities: Voice assistant, programmable schedule, object avoidance, flooring identification, front facing camera, heat dries in mop mode}

Best for Tile and Laminate

Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.9/5
• Features
  5/5

During the testing phase, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop quickly became an essential (and favorite) part of our home cleaning routine. Once this vacuum is connected to Wi-Fi, it automatically begins mapping your home's floor space and layout. You can then configure the map with specific zones to indicate carpeting, no-go zones, high-traffic areas, and no-mop zones. We did find that this zoning process was the most tedious out of the vacuum's entire setup, but it's a one-time thing and not completely necessary if you don't plan on scheduling the vacuum to automatically clean while you're away or busy.

When all of its features are customized to your liking, you can expect this robot to excel at cleaning, especially on hard surfaces like tile and laminate. With Shark's unique Matrix Clean Navigation, this vacuum moves in a grid-like pattern to ensure that every spot in your mapped area is cleaned with multiple passes. This vacuum is also equipped with CleanEdge Technology, which uses a blast of air and corner recognition to remove debris for an improved result around your home. It's worth noting this robot vacuum does not completely catch every bit of debris in corners, but that's not uncommon for a robot vacuum and we're still pleased with its performance. We also enjoy this robot vacuum's quiet operation, which doesn't compete with a TV set to a normal volume.

But the real star of this vacuum's design is its simultaneous vacuum and mop capabilities. We scheduled it to run every day during testing, and appreciated how the app shows the robot's progress and sends a notification when the cleaning routine is complete. The one downside of the simultaneous cleaning feature is the vacuum does not self-empty, so this chore is waiting for you when you get home. This flaw is especially frustrating if you prefer to use the combo mode rather than the vacuum-only setting (which does use the self-empty function). Still, despite this missed opportunity, there's lots to love with this machine—especially with children and pets always at play.

Price at time of publish: $700

_{Battery Life: 120 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: Not listed | Mapping: Yes | Self-Emptying: Yes | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, object avoidance, Matrix Clean Navigation, CleanEdge Technology, Sonic Mopping}