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I've tested over 20 robot vacuums — here are the top 5 to shop on Prime Day

Cross at least one chore off your to-do list for good.
By Leah Stodart  on 
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Overview

Best mid-range hybrid

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

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Best cheap small obstacle avoidance

iRobot Roomba j7

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Best cheap option with smart mapping

Shark Matrix RV2300

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Best budget spot cleaning

Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1

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Table of Contents

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?

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 I'm here to put some respect on their names.

I'm 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, I'm 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.

Do robot vacuums go on sale for Prime Day?

Big time. If you're really strict about not dropping more than a few hundred dollars on a robot vacuum, your chances of buying a nicer model without going over budget just went up. And if you're heavily considering just taking the plunge on a really fancy, expensive model, grabbing it on sale on Prime Day can cut your chances of regretting the splurge significantly.

As a staple category of any Amazon sale event, you can expect every major robot vacuum brand to throw in some serious October Prime Day deals — even iRobot tends to go hard, despite the cancelation of its acquisition by Amazon. In fact, Prime Days past have seen tons of major robot vacuums drop to new record-low prices. We'll be actively tracking the best October Prime Day robot vacuum deals through the end of the sale on Oct. 9, plus competing deals from retailers like Walmart.

With so many options on sale, though, you're likely to face the same decision fatigue that you did before Prime Day. I've narrowed down your shopping list to seven top options. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget in 2024:

Who it's for:

The Roborock Qrevo Master is a worthwhile investment for people who are picky about their cleaning — picky enough that they'd rather pay close to a grand than walk into a freshly swept room just to see that there's still a tuft of pet hair hanging out in the corner.

With self-washing and self-drying mopping pads, very strong suction power, and two extending side arms (one for vacuuming, one for mopping) that reach out several inches to dig into corners, Roborock's second-most expensive option is a full-fledged floor care suite that does the most in terms of cleaning and maintenance.

Why we picked this:

Though the Qrevo Master isn't Roborock's absolute most expensive vacuum (that's the $1,799.99 S8 MaxV Ultra), it still packs almost every single fancy feature that the S8 MaxV Ultra does — just for way less money, especially when you can find it on sale for under $1,000.

These standout features include two FlexiArms. The vacuuming one extends out from underneath the vac several inches further than the average crappy robot vacuum side brush, sweeping directly in corners and along wall edges. The mopping one is a spinning dual pad that reaches out underneath to mop outside of the robot vacuum's circumference, allowing it to mop scrub areas that the full height of the robot vacuum may or may not fit, like under the lip of kitchen counters. It's still not the same level of detailed edge cleaning that I can achieve with my Dyson, but it's lightyears ahead of bots that just skim the edges and hope for the best.

The Qrevo Master dishes out the same 10,000 Pa suction power (which automatically increases when the vacuum is going over carpet) as the S8 MaxV Ultra and, wait for it, has the same pet camera that gives you the POV of the vacuum as it's cleaning. Pet parents in the market for a robot vacuum to keep up with shedding could also be getting a livestream pet camera out of their purchase, which is actually a really comforting tool for checking on pets when you're not home.

The Good

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Details

Who it's for:

The Eufy X10 Pro Omni would be a stellar find for shoppers who are willing to spend more than a few hundred bucks to bring home a more hands off experience, but who still draw the line at $1,000. With small obstacle avoidance and a self-washing and drying mopping system, this Eufy offers more bang for your buck than the similarly-priced Roomba Combo j7+ or Roborock Q8 Max+. This particular Eufy robovac also has some of the best battery life on the market (even on its highest suction setting), making it an even easier choice for homes with lots of square footage or multiple stories.

Of all the X10 Pro Omni's advanced features, the small obstacle avoidance can't be understated, especially in homes that are, well, lived in. If you could bet money that there's a rogue sock, kid or pet toy, or phone charger on the ground at any given moment (it's the mountain of crap shoved under my bed for me), you'll appreciate the AI-powered small obstacle avoidance, which lets you confidently run the robot vac when you're not home to tidy up first.

Why we picked this:

Eufy's most elaborate robot vacuum (it's the brand's first self-emptying hybrid that self-refills the water tank and self-washes and dries the mopping pads) was also somehow the most affordable robot vacuum that debuted at CES 2024. That plus small obstacle avoidance are features we usually see in only the priciest vacs in the competition, so the fact that the X10 Pro Omni's resumé has both is seriously impressive.

Props to Eufy for not skimping on wet or dry floor cleaning here. Its official suction power ranking of 8,000 Pa is beastly on paper and proved proficient IRL on messes like spilled dry rice on both medium and flat piles. For wet or sticky messes, it's a rare sub-$800 model with dual spinning mopping pads to actually scrub more than gloss.

The Good

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Details

Roomba j7 cleaning rug with pink bed frame in corner

iRobot Roomba j7

Best cheap small obstacle avoidance

Who it's for:

The desire to buy a robot vacuum ultimately stems from wanting to be off the hook from cleaning. But if you also want to ensure that you're off the hook from tidying up the floor before sending out your robot vacuum, the Roomba j7 is the most affordable way to do that. It has been rocking a jaw-dropping 50% discount at Amazon for most of spring 2024, dropping it from its usual $599.99 to $299. (You can also opt for the self-emptying and mopping Combo j7+.)

If you live in a space that just needs light daily cleaning (not hardcore shedding cleanup that would fill a dust bin quickly), then losing out on mopping and automatic emptying won't be a huge deal. Rather, small yet cluttered spaces will benefit much more from the j7's ability to dodge the phone charger or laundry accidentally left on the ground.

Why we picked this:

I'd argue that a robot vacuum's ability to get to the place it needs to clean without any blips is just as important as the cleaning performance itself. The j7 ensures a smooth trip in two ways: super accurate room-to-room smart mapping and a front-facing camera that helps it steer clear of items that a less-advanced robot vacuum would surely try to eat, like cords, socks, or pet waste.

The mastery of this capability, which first wowed me when testing the Combo j7+, is still a rarity in the current robot vacuum market. It's particularly hard to find for under $500, as most vacs that come with this tech require you to pay for all of the other bells and whistles. So even by skipping mopping and self-emptying to stay affordable, the Roomba j7 is still one of the best robot vacuums for most people.

Read our full review of the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+.

The Good

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Details

Gray Shark robot vacuum cleaning rug beside gold table legs

Shark Matrix RV2300

Best cheap option with smart mapping

Who it's for:

The standalone Shark Matrix obviously forgoes the optional self-emptying dock to keep the price point low. The ideal buyer would be someone who cares more about spot cleaning and mapping than manually emptying the dust bin.

Why we picked this:

Shark made serious moves with its 2023 lineup of vacuums. The most affordable of those is the standalone Shark Matrix, which defies the outdated stereotype that cheap robot vacuums' navigation abilities are limited to blindly bumping around and hoping for the best.

This $299.99 vacuum (or $199.99 on sale) packs essentials like LiDAR-powered home mapping and virtual boundaries, plus Shark's newest claim to fame: its Matrix spot cleaning technique that vacuums in a crosshatch pattern to grab any debris missed during the first pass.

The Good

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Details

Who it's for:

Too many robot vacuums make impromptu spot cleaning much harder than it needs to be. If that's a pain point on your radar, you'll appreciate the straightforward approach of Shark's Matrix line. In particular, the model that mops is one of the best for quick tackling of spills or daily upkeep of a certain high-traffic spot, like near a door, with no clicking around in the app required past simply dragging a box to the desired area. Groundbreaking.

While the Shark Matrix 2-in-1 would be fine in fully carpeted rooms, it's probably best for homes without a heavy rug situation, as the bot requires you to manually point out rugs or carpets in the app and can't vacuum while the water tank is attached.

Why we picked this:

No tea, no shade: Shark wasn't a huge threat in the robot vacuum market until it overhauled its 2-in-1 line in the winter of 2022. Now, if you come across a robot vacuum with "Matrix" in the title, you know you're in good hands.

You can think of the Matrix Clean system as the robot vacuum embodiment of the "and one for good measure" approach when it comes to cleaning. This applies to both the versions of the Matrix line that mop and the ones that don't. In Matrix mode during regular vacuuming, these Shark models dish out 30% better carpet cleaning than the older RV Shark models by vacuuming in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and grab debris from multiple angles. In Matrix mode during mopping, the mopping pad vibrates 100 times per minute to scrub at stains that hybrid models with stationary cloths would gloss over.

Read our full review of the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 (previously called the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1).

The Good

The Bad

Details

Topics Robot Vacuums

How we tested

I have been testing popular robot vacuums in the various apartments I've lived in since 2020. My hands-on analyses of robot vacuums have included everything from budget models under $200 that just cover just the basics to $1,800 premium models that mop, empty themselves, wash and dry their own mopping pads, and identify small, tricky obstacles that more basic models can't see.

In 2024 so far, botvacs I've had my hands on include the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Eufy X10 Pro Omni, Shark Matrix RV2300, Shark Detect Pro, Roomba Combo j9+, Roomba Combo j5+, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and Yeedi M12 Pro+. I am also currently working with the Roborock Qrevo Master.

For now, I'm opting to leave the Yeedi M12 Pro+ off of our recommendation list. Which is a bummer because on paper, it sounds like a high-end self-cleaning station in a cheap vacuum's body. In particular, my jaw was on the floor after seeing self-washing and drying mopping pads and the 11,000 Pa of suction power (a number that beats even the 10,000 Pa of the $1,799.99 Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra) in a machine selling for less than $1,000 — or less than $700 on sale.

Unfortunately, the list of premium features hasn't really rendered a premium experience. While its vacuuming performance on dry debris like rice, kitty litter, and hair on multiple carpet piles, hardwood, and tile has been sufficient, I'm not necessarily getting "most powerful suction money can buy" vibes. The ultra-low price point also starts to make a little more sense when I have to rescue the bot from being stuck on a rug, just to notice how plastic-y the design feels. In terms of mopping (past a mopping pad completely falling off), the performance was fine, but nothing amazing. Between mediocrely satisfactory cleaning, overall flimsiness, and unreliable obstacle avoidance technology that kept running right over my phone charger, I'm sticking to recommending the $799.99 Eufy X10 Pro Omni as the best budget robot vacuum with a full-fledged self-cleaning station.

The next robotic vacuum cleaners set to clean under my roof are the Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot + AutoWash Dock and Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Pro Base.

How we assess a robot vacuum's performance

My testing grounds mostly include apartments (but occasionally my parents' large single-story home) with a combination of hardwood, tile, and laminate floors, plus several different rugs. As for the cleanliness status of the floors being tackled, the vacuums are sent over both fresh messes like purposefully spilled dry debris like food crumbs or rice, and to test the mopping skills of the hybrid vacuums, intentionally spilled ranch or almond milk. The efficiency of these robot vacuum cleaners is also put to the test against the more perpetual grime that naturally builds up in our homes over time, like matted-down cat hair from one short-haired and one long-haired cat, and shoe stains near the front door.

Besides technical cleaning performance, I'm looking for robot vacuums that offer a true hands-off cleaning experience. Success depends on how seamlessly each bot navigates around walls, furniture, and small obstacles, how accurately it maps the layout of the rooms, and how well it maintains itself through features like automatic emptying. For more advanced hybrid robot vacuums and mops, that also include automatic water tank filling and automatic washing and drying of mopping pads.

Finally, I can't not simply consider the overall bang for your buck for each robot vacuum. Are its features on paper and actual cleaning competence worth the price tag, and how practical is that cost for the average household?

Frequently Asked Questions


Whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can't be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robot vacuum that acts drunk — scattering crumbs rather than sucking them up, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — is completely missing that convenience factor that draws people to automated cleaning in the first place. Considering the following nitty gritty criteria specific to your home can help narrow your options:

  • Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), averaging between 5,000 to 8,000 Pa for a decent contender that's been released in the past year or so. The ante is being upped, though: A few 2024 flagship models are clocking between 10,000 Pa and 12,000 Pa. Stronger suction will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris like pellet cat litter or popcorn (be sure to set a barrier around Lego pieces) and to yank patted-down pet hair from carpet or rug fibers.

  • Floor type: Expanding on the point above, carpeting and rugs require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robovac with large wheels and floor type sensors that can hoist itself over door mats, rugs of varying piles, 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. (Dust bins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dust bin 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 far fewer navigation issues with a model that uses LiDAR laser technology or vSLAM camera technology to map exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of furniture and twists and turns, and the ability to follow zones set by you in the app. In 2024, smart mapping is so common and so affordable that you'd actually be more hard pressed to find a robot vacuum that doesn't have this capability — and if you happen to stumble across one, there's definitely a better option for your money.

  • App control: Any robot vacuum that we'll recommend at this point is WiFi-enabled, which means it will be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling and remote start, map and virtual boundary editing, and suction or mopping levels, as well as occasional more advanced features. WiFi compatibility also typically brings voice control via Alexa or Google integration.

  • 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 or homes with multiple stories obviously require more time to clean, and how much you prioritize battery life depends on how annoyed you'll be if your robot vac has to take a time out during its queue to charge. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 150 minutes, which translates to about 500 and 2,600 square feet covered on one charge. Some ultra-efficient models can clock between 200 and 250 minutes on one charge, which would only really be necessary in homes exceeding 3,000 square feet.

  • Height and 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. Robot vacuums with mopping gear and a water tank on board are slightly bulkier, but many manage to stay below 3.5 inches.


No, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav doesn't live up to the hype. Dyson claims that its first robot vacuum in almost a decade has twice the suction power of any robot vacuum on the market. While the 360 Vis Nav performed decently well in testing done at senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart's home, she wasn't as blown away by the results as she expected. She was also full-on disappointed by the 360 Vis Nav's edge cleaning, despite Dyson promising that its new robovac uses a special side duct to reach into corners and along walls better than competitors.

And without a self-emptying dock, mopping capabilities, or small obstacle sensors that detect cords or pet waste (an absolute must in this price range), the Dyson 360 Vis Nav isn't worth $1,199.99. There are more reliable options that have a much more robust list of features, whether you're down to spend over a grand or not.

Leah Stodart
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter

Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers essential home tech like vacuums and TVs as well as sustainable swaps and travel. Her ever-growing experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.

Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with dual degrees in Sociology and Media Studies. When she's not writing about shopping (or shopping online for herself), she's almost definitely watching a horror movie, "RuPaul's Drag Race," or "The Office." You can follow her on X at @notleah or email her at [email protected].

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