NerdWallet Shopping’s rankings of the best robot vacuums is based on our analysis of opinions from experts and shoppers.
Picking a vacuum is no easy choice, so we analyzed some of the most popular models on the market to help make your purchase decision a little less confusing. To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites, such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. Next, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers were saying about the various attributes of each vacuum.
We recognize that consumers look for different qualities when selecting appliances, which is why we ranked top vacuums according to the features that matter most to shoppers.
We judged our best robot vacuums based on the following methodology:
Our analysis: Based on 7,882 analyzed reviews
Overall: The overall score considers how satisfied buyers are with the vacuum across 10 different dimensions, including factors such as how well it cleans across various surfaces, ease of use, durability and noise. For a detailed view of each score, click on the “View Details” button on any of the vacuums listed below.
How well it cleans: This score reflects how satisfied buyers are with the vacuum’s performance on carpet and hard floors, including hardwood, bare, tile and vinyl. This score also reflects how satisfied buyers are with its ability to clean up pet hair and debris.
Ease of use: This score reflects how satisfied buyers are with the vacuum’s ability to maneuver through areas without getting caught, the process of emptying or cleaning out the robot vacuum and whether the vacuum was easy to set up and regularly program.
The robot vacuums
1. Roomba 650
The Roomba 650 earns high marks from buyers in nearly every category we studied, including performance, durability, ease of use and cleaning.
Roomba 650
- Overall score: 8.8
- How well it cleans: 9.3
- Ease of use: 8.3
Buyers Like
- Easy to use
- Performs well on bare floors and carpet
- Picks up pet hair
- Easy to empty and clean
- Long battery life
Buyers Dislike
- Poor navigation
- Gets stuck easily
- Can be noisy during operation
2. Roomba 880
The Roomba 880 robot vacuum appeals to convenience- and performance-minded users. Its included remote control and simple-to-clean design make operation easy.
Roomba 880
- Overall score: 8.7
- How well it cleans: 8.9
- Ease of use: 8.7
Buyers Like
- Performs well on bare floors and carpet
- Picks up pet hair
- Cleans under furniture
- Easy to empty and clean
- Remote control included
Buyers Dislike
- Doesn’t perform well on rugs
- Misses sections of rooms during cleaning
- Can be noisy during operation
3. Neato Botvac BV85
Buyers praise the Neato Botvac BV85 for its easy-to-use platform as well as its low noise level during operation.
Neato Botvac BV85
- Overall score: 8.7
- How well it cleans: 9.6
- Ease of use: 8.0
Buyers Like
- Easy to use
- Performs well on bare floors and carpet
- Picks up pet hair
- Fairly quiet during operation
Buyers Dislike
- Gets stuck under furniture
- Can get stuck on thick rugs
4. iClebo YCR-M05-10 Arte
The iClebo YCR-M05-10 Arte robot vacuum earns points for its quiet operation and long battery life. Consumers appreciate its included remote control, easy setup and optimal performance on bare floors.
iClebo YCR-M05-10 Arte
- Overall score: 8.3
- How well it cleans: 8.3
- Ease of use: 7.4
Buyers Like
- Easy to use
- Performs well on tile and hardwood floors
- Picks up pet hair
- Remote control included
Buyers Dislike
- Gets stuck under furniture
- Doesn’t perform well on rugs or high carpet
5. Roomba 770
The Roomba 770 is easy to use, and its convenient dirt bin makes cleaning quick and easy.
Roomba 770
- Overall score: 8.1
- How well it cleans: 8.4
- Ease of use: 7.6
Buyers Like
- Easy to set up and program
- Performs well on tile and hardwood floors
- Picks up pet hair
Buyers Dislike
- Gets stuck often
- Can be noisy during operation
- Short battery life
- Brushes need to be replaced over time
6. Neato XV-21
The Neato XV-21 earns high marks for performing well on multiple surface types.
Neato XV-21
- Overall score: 6.7
- How well it cleans: 8.9
- Ease of use: 6.5
Buyers Like
- Easy to set up and program
- Performs well on bare floors and carpet
- Picks up pet hair
- Easy to clean
Buyers Dislike
- Misses dirt along edges/corners of rooms
- Short battery life
- Software error messages become common over time
- Customer service complaints
Robot Vacuum Buying Guide
Robot vacuums are intended to make cleaning your home as easy as pushing a button, but deciding which one to buy can be anything but simple. To ensure you bring home the right vacuum for you, do some feature-comparison homework before you buy.
When buying a robot vacuum, these are the top things you should keep in mind:
Surface type
Where do you need your robot to clean? Depending on your requirements, see whether the model you’re considering is capable of conquering carpet, tile, hardwood and/or rugs. For households with dogs and cats, some models are designed to pick up pet hair too.
Size
Be sure to note the dimensions of any robot vacuum you’re considering. Then, look around your home and measure the height of your furniture. If you’re hoping to purchase a vacuum that can clean underneath your couch, bed, end tables and more, you won’t want a device that is too bulky or has the potential of getting stuck.
Programmability
Robot vacuums are all about convenience, so select one that will be easy for you to use. For example, some devices come with remote controls for hands-off operation. Other models allow you to schedule cleaning sessions in advance. Pay attention to programming instructions and functionality.
Noise
Once you set your robot vacuum in operation, you’ll certainly hear it at work. Depending on your personal preference, you may want a vacuum that cleans quietly. If you’re buying online, or don’t have the opportunity to test the robot for yourself, try reading reviews from other users to help you judge how loud a particular model will be.
Battery
Before you buy, you’ll want an idea of your robot’s battery life. In particular, check to see how long the vacuum can operate on one charge as well as how long it takes to recharge the device between uses.
Cleaning
Though your new vacuum will do all of the carpet and floor cleaning in your home for you, you’ll be the one who will have to clean the robot itself. Consider the size of the robot’s dust bin, which could be an indication of how often the device will need to be emptied. Another factor to consider is the size of the space the robot will be working in.
More from NerdWallet
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Courtney Jespersen is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: courtney@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @CourtneyNerd.
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