A robot vacuum to match every budget
Go! Go! Gadget vacuum!
As kids there were plenty of TV shows like The Jetsons which made us think we'd have robots doing all the housework by now. Not quite the case is it? But if you're still vacuuming your home regularly or mopping those hard floors you have to know that's a thing of the past and a robot really can do the job, and do it well.
These products have come a very long way in a short time, so if you tried one out years ago just know they are a completely different product now, far more capable than ever before.
Things to consider when buying a robot vacuum
The single biggest consideration when buying a robot vacuum is just how much you want it to do for you. The second thing to think about is the type of flooring you have in your home.
If you just want your robot vacuum to keep things dust free and reduce the frequency of your own cleaning then you can consider the robot vacuums at the lower price points, ones that will pick up the dust around your home making things feel great during the week, but might then require you to get out with the vacuum on the weekends for a more comprehensive clean.
For those of us who want to put the hand-held vacuum away for good, a high-end robot vacuum is capable of far better suction, deep mopping and they can even perform self-care meaning you don't need to touch them for a month or more.
If you've got primarily hard floors you're going to want to look for a product with mopping capabilities while those with carpets only can put more of a focus on suction power.
Finally, just how clear are your floors? Lots of things lying around? Some robot vacuums are capable of working around kids toys, however, most really do need you to tidy up before they go out to do the work.
The best robot vacuums for every budget
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Ecovacs Deebot N8
Price: $429 (was $999)
Pros:
- Advanced mapping
- Avoids carpet when mopping
- First-class app controls
- Value
Cons:
- You need to empty it and change mopping pad each use
Possibly one of the best value robot vacuums on the market the Ecovacs Deebot N8 has mopping, vacuuming and LiDAR mapping with one of the most advanced apps for smart control.
Once your Deebot N8 has done its first run around your home it has an amazingly accurate map of your home, on which you can set those virtual boundaries and name each room.
Then you can command the Deebot N8 to clean no matter where you are in the world using the Ecovacs Home app.
Because the Ecovacs Deebot N8 has carpet detection – meaning when you put the mop and water tank in – it won't venture into carpeted areas. But without that in place, it's doing the whole home – that's the smarts you want.
The Deebot N8 has great suction power, great for dust and pet hair no matter if it's underneath or around your furniture.
Eufy RoboVac 25C
Price: $299 (was $399)
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Quiet
Cons:
- No mapping
- Vacuum only
For those looking to dip their toe into the robot vacuum market the Eufy RoboVac 25C could be a great starter.
Eufy are known for their affordable, reliable and easy to use smart home products.
This robot vacuum might not have the suction power of the others, or the advanced mapping, but it's made to be out there cleaning as often as possible.
As quiet as a microwave, it can clean for up to 100 minutes at a time.
While this might be remarkably basic, for people with floors clear of kids toys and other mess, it's going to continue to wander around and give your home a clean floor all day every day.
Ecovacs Deebot X1 OMNI
Price: $1,699 (was $2,499)
Pros:
- Hands-free for months
- Fantastic suction
- Best in class mopping
- Voice control
Cons:
- Large base unit
- Price
The absolute best of the best, the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni is an all-in-one cleaning machine.
It's a giant unit, because the "home base" for the X1 Omni also doubles as a self cleaning station.
Ecovacs has an advanced mapping system which uses LiDar scanners – the same ones used in self-driving cars – to create an accurate map of your home, which you can then edit to put up virtual boundaries and no-go zones and separate out each of the rooms so when you do send your robot out you can tell it exactly which room to clean.
Additionally, the X1 Omni has voice control built in so you can command the robot to follow you, to clean a specific spot in the home like "under the lounge" all using your voice.
Most importantly though, the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni has a high-powered vacuum for picking up all the dust and debris around, and it empties itself out into that self-cleaning station when it's done.
Finally, the mopping capabilities of the X1 Omni are beyond anything else. It isn't just dragging a mopping pad along the ground, it has two rotating mopping brushes that are basically scrubbing your floors and it does an amazing job.
iRobot Roomba i3+
Price: $997 (was $1,399)
Pros:
- Excellent vacuum power
- Automatically empties itself
Cons:
- Mapping not LiDAR
- No mopping
For those with pets the iRobot Roomba i3 is aimed at you. Compromising mopping for suction, pet hair on hard floors and carpets is not a problem.
Wi-Fi-connected mapping means you can direct where the robot goes to clean and dust. And because of that Wi-Fi connectivity you can also command it to start from your Alexa or Google smart speaker.
This little robot also has dirt detect sensors so it can focus its cleaning efforts where your home needs it most.
When the Roomba i3 is done cleaning up, it heads back to base where an automatic dirt disposal station empties out the robot so it's clear and ready to clean again the next time!
If you've got pets, a robot like the Roomba i3 is ideal as it's focussed on suction over everything else.
Roborock S5 Max
Price: from $524
Pros:
- App control
- Great mapping
- Vacuum and mopping
Cons:
- Unknown brand for some
Roborock would be one of the top three robot vacuum brands on the market in Australia, and the S5 Max is a great example of a robot vacuum for the average Aussie home.
Strong suction means it's got you covered on all carpet types. Because of its smarts the Roborock will automatically boost the suction on carpet but it's ideal on all floors.
Add in a water tank and mop and the Roborock S5 Max is going to keep your hard floor areas shiny clean.
Using LiDAR mapping, you get a precise map of your home, allowing you to setup virtual no-go zones, or no-mop zones so if you have a rug you can virtually fence that off.
And for multi-storey homes, you can save multiple maps and take the Roborock S5 Max upstairs or down to do it's job.
READ NEXT: A beginner's guide to smartwatches