How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum

A bargain robot vacuum is a great value. Beware of maintenance costs that might be higher than anticipated: tangles inside brushes, blocked air inlets and emptying dust bins will quickly make your automatic cleaning dream into a burden.

For many, the best budget robot is the iRobot Combo. It delivers almost the same hands-off experience for less than half the cost.

Suction Power

Some models in this price range have strong enough suction for basic vacuuming, however others might require help with a handheld nozzle in order to reach into the smallest cracks and crevices. A budget-friendly robot vacuum will likely do the job if you have a home that has primarily hard floors. But if your floors have an assortment of surfaces and you also have rug, or have pets who shed, a higher-end model will provide the most effective results for your price.

A few budget models include a water tank and mopping capability, adding to their versatility. The more recent Dyson R7050C for instance, has very good navigation scores in CR's tests and a generous bin of 770ml, but it's louder than most of the other robots we've tested and does not have mopping capabilities. Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro is a smaller robot that is quieter and has an automated dock. It also has an water tank, powerful suction capacity of 5,500pascal and a large container that you can fill with cleaning solution to make it an efficient mopping device. The Q5 Pro can be controlled via the smart app, which allows you to mop or vacuum a room or sequence of rooms or an entire area. You can also create no-go zones and set suction settings to your preferences for each room.

The budget Shark ION is a great pick for those looking for something basic, affordable and reliable. It's not as sophisticated as the other models we've tested and comes with a basic application and basic mapping capabilities, but it does have excellent navigation and cleaning capabilities. It is also one of the few robots we've tested that can distinguish between carpets and hard flooring, and it has a 300ml dustbin that needs to be cleaned every 30 days.

If you want a more sophisticated model that can mop, vacuum and create an outline of your home for smarter obstacle avoidance take a look at the top models within this price range. The iRobot Roomba 650 and 750 have very strong suction power as well as a comb that is cleverly designed for pet hair and other dirt, as well as in-app scheduling and voice control using your smart home assistant. Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 offers a excellent cleaning performance for a reasonable price.

Navigation Efficiency


A budget robot vacuum can be just as effective an expensive model as long as it is able to navigate your home and avoid obstacles. Our lab technicians utilized an instrument for tracking in a multi-room test house to test the robot's ability to navigate and locate the rooms it required to clean within a specified timeframe, while also avoiding obstacles like furniture, power cords and rug. We also look at how quickly a robot can travel over different types of terrain for homes such as stairways and transitions between different types of floor.

The best budget robot vacuums come with navigation systems that enable them to clean a room efficiently without wasting time or running into obstacles. Many robot vacuums come with maps that are essential for a complete house cleaning. However, even budget models with no mapping can be used to effectively cover a space therefore it's essential to balance cost with the features you need for your home.

We also look at the ease with which robots can cross over thresholds in the home, like the thresholds of a door sill and a sofa. A good budget robot should be able to transition over these obstacles, and a few provide settings to alter suction power according to kinds of floors. In the end, we must consider whether a budget robot is compatible with your smart home configuration and can be controlled remotely using an app or voice control.

The iLife V3s Pro is a fantastic example of a budget robot that provides basic mapping capabilities as well as intelligent features. vacuum deals 's also very affordable. It is controlled by the iRobot app, and also has an auto-return feature that returns it to its base when the battery is exhausted, then resumes where it began.

The iLife V3s Pro doesn't have the advanced object avoidance found on many premium robots, but it does have a live camera that transmits a grainy video feed to your smartphone so that you can keep an eye on the robot as it performs. The cameras can also spot obstacles like stairs and other steps and alert you if the robot encounters them. However, the iLife uses random navigation instead of a method that is designed to keep objects from getting stuck against furniture legs, so it might not be able around a leg of a chair or other tight spot as well as a robot that has mapping capabilities.

Cleaning Performance

When you are looking for a robot vacuum, you must consider the price and performance. Budget models may lack advanced features, such as mapping, but they will still be effective of cleaning your home. Also, pay attention to the size of a robot's dustbin and how much dirt it can hold prior to having to empty it. You'll need enough room to fit all the debris that robots collect including hair, dirt, and pet dander.

You'll want a robot capable of removing dirt and stains from carpets as well. We test each model in the ZDNET chart to determine whether it is able to remove hair and dirt from carpet. The most effective models have a brush that digs through the fibers to eliminate debris.

The majority of budget models are effective in removing messes from plain floors and carpets with low pile, but struggle to clear larger chunks of debris and pet hair from higher-pile carpets. These models typically have less suction however they can be effective at cleaning up particles from tight spaces like corners and under furniture.

The iLife V3s Pro vacuum cleaner is the best vacuum for its price. It has a high rating in our tests, and it's able to remove dirt and hair from carpets. It's also among the quieter models we test and simple to use. It has tiny suction openings that collects debris instead of pushing it through the brush bar, and it is able to adjust the power to match the surface. It also comes with a side-brush that has three bristles that push hair and debris in the robot's path, but it's not doing as good as it does in picking up fine dust.

Look for a model with mop and vacuum functions, like the Combo j9 Plus. This robot can simultaneously vac and mop, and set specific vac/mop settings for each room. It's more expensive than the other robot vacuums in our chart but has a camera on the front that allows for more precise mapping and a better way to avoid obstacles things like power cords or cat poop.

Maintenance

Robot vacuums are convenient however, they come at price. Regular maintenance is essential, from emptying the dustbin to changing filters and cleaning their brush bar. They can also become tangled in cords or fall off the steps.

The most affordable robot vacuums reduce these issues by requiring minimal management from the user. The top models come with navigation systems that stay clear of objects and stay clear of dangers, including the tangled electrical cords or dropped food items. They also make use of a mix of sensors to map rooms, and then create maps that indicate the areas they've cleaned before to ensure they don't re-clean the same spots again.

Don't let the cost of the higher-end models deter you. They can still do a great job if given the chance. Our top budget choices are from leading OEMs like iRobot Roborock Dreame. You can be sure that they've been created with attention to detail and are built to last.

You might consider a mopping robot if you are willing to pay more. These can swish a wet cloth across floors to scrub them clean and help eliminate stubborn stains, and they can be utilized with a specialized mop pad for tough jobs like dried coffee.

There are a number of mopping robots featured in our list but the most affordable model is the TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus. It has a clean minimalist design, and it also comes with all the features and capabilities of a top-rated robot vacuum. During our tests, the RV30 was capable of navigating without bumping into furniture and building detailed maps of its flooring that it could use when it runs. This is the only robot in the budget that we have tested with this feature. iRobot Roomba also has mapping capabilities, however the app's setup guides you through the entire process.

Make sure to keep your robot in good condition regardless of whether you opt for a costly robovac or one that is less expensive. It's a good idea empty its dustbin after every cleaning job and to clean the filter, if it has one (check the manual of your owner or the manufacturer's site for details). Replace the battery as required and test the Wi-Fi connectivity.