BEST SELF-EMPTYING DEAL: The iRobot Roomba j7+ avoids obstacles like phone chargers for a totally autonomous cleaning schedule — $599 ~~$799.99~~ (save $200.99)
BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Ecovacs Deebot N8+ uses LiDAR to vacuum and mop, then empties the mess on its own — $449.99 ~~$649.99~~ (save $200)

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don’t have time. Whether you detest the chore or get a little bummed when you can’t have that satisfying dance with your Dyson, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.

Robot vacuums under $200

Robot vacuum and phone on white background

Credit: iRobot

Our pick: iRobot Roomba 694

$179.99 at Amazon (save $94.01)

Why we like it

One of the most affordable (non-discontinued) Roombas is back under $180, baby. The 694 is iRobot’s baseline model, offering a standard clean that you can trust to keep floors tidy on a daily basis. Hard floors are a breeze and carpets are tackled efficiently with Roomba’s loosen-then-lift strategy. Schedule cleanings and get custom route suggestions in the iRobot app.

More robot vacuums under $200

ionvac Smart Clean 2000 — $97 ~~$179.88~~ (save $82.88)
Shark ION AV753 — $149.99 ~~$229.99~~ (save $80)
Roborock E4 — $179.99 ~~$299.99~~ (save $120)
Eufy 15C Max – $179.99 ~~$299.99~~ (save $120)
Eufy 11s Max — $199.99 ~~$249.99~~ (save $50)

Robot vacuums under $500

Credit: Roborock

Our pick: Roborock S4 Max

$299.99 at Amazon (save $130)

Why we like it

Opting for a robot vacuum with LiDAR mapping is a smart move for floor plans more complicated than a one or two-bedroom apartment. For barely over $300, the Roborock S4 Max solves bumbling navigation woes by remembering the layout of each floor of your home and steering clear of the virtual boundaries you set.

More robot vacuums under $500

iRobot Roomba i1 — $229 ~~$399.99~~ (save $170.99)
iRobot Roomba i3 Evo — $249 ~~$349.99~~ (save $100.99)
Ecovacs G30 Edge — $229.99 ~~$399.99~~ (save $119.01)
Eufy RoboVac X8 — $479.99 ~~$599.99~~ (save $120)
Shark IQ XL — $437.64 ~~$599.99~~ (save $162.35)
Yeedi Vac Station — $359.99 ~~$549.99~~ (save $190)
iRobot Roomba i3+ Evo — $399 ~~$549.99~~ (save $150.99)
iRobot Roomba j7 — $399 ~~$599.99~~ (save $200.99)

Robot vacuums under $800

Roomba with flat edge and auto empty dock

Credit: irobot

iRobot Roomba s9+

$799 at Amazon (save $200.99)

More robot vacuums under $800

iRobot Roomba j7+ — $599 ~~$799.99~~ (save $200.99)

Why we like it

Got carpet? The Roomba s9+ is worth the splurge for high-pile, especially if you have pets. The s9+ features iRobot’s most intense suction power to reach deep into carpet fibers, plus a flat edge to trail the walls and corners of your home. If specific rooms need more attention, the s9+ can use its internal map to head to whatever rooms or zones you send it to.

Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops

Credit: Ecovacs

Our pick: Ecovacs Deebot N8+

$449.99 at Best Buy (save $200)

Why we like it:

The Deebot N8+ includes fundamental smart upgrades like LiDAR mapping and virtual boundaries for customizing its cleaning path down to specific rooms or areas. It also has sensors that avoid carpets while mopping.

More hybrids and robot mops on sale

Roborock E4 — $199.99 ~~$379.99~~ (save $180)
Roborock S5 Max — $379.99 ~~$549.99~~ (save $170)
Shark VacMop AV2001WD — $339.99 ~~$479.99~~ (save $140)
Ecovacs T8 Aivi — $499.99 ~~$799.99~~ (save $300)

Are robot vacuums worth it?

The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you’re not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from of your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having “first day clean” floors all the time?)

But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can’t be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that doesn’t do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.

What to consider when buying a robot vacuum

Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), with most current vacs ranging between 1,500 Pa and 3,000 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set a no-go zone around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.
Floor type: Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.
Automatic emptying: Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small — which means they frequently require emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock. These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out.
Home layout: Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you’ll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.
Low-profile furniture: No one should have to be scared about what’s accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.
Battery life and square footage: One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you’ll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 200 minutes, which translate to about 500 and 2,800 square feet covered on one charge.
App control: WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you’re not home. Low-end models that don’t connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you’re used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.