Are Robot Vacuums Worth The Money? 6 Things To Know When Shopping

We can’t be sure whether other models will have similar rates of problems, though the typical user ratings for EcoVacs’ laser-nav bots tends to be a few tenths of a point lower than other brands’ ratings. To EcoVacs’ credit, we’ve found that their bots are a little better at traversing tall rugs and large thresholds than other brands’ bots. First, you need to connect the bot to Wi-Fi via your router’s 2.4 GHz frequency only, and like anything Wi-Fi related, some people seem to have trouble getting it to work smoothly on their network. Then, you pair it with a companion app (either Xiaomi Home or Roborock’s own app—their features vary slightly, and we find the latter to be simpler). It’ll take some time to get used to the icons and sub-menus, while the imperfect border-drawing tool means you’ll be doing a little trial and error to get some of your zoned cleaning really dialed in.

Allergens are swiftly swept up and locked away with this Roomba’s smart mapping model. We sent them on a normal run of the house cleaning run as well as runs with handfuls of cat litter on the floor and carpeting. But for staying ahead of dust and dirt buildup, they’re solid investments that will save you time, and as part of an overall cleaning schedule they make a lot of sense.

irobot vacuum cleaner

We’re going to use the Roomba 694 as shorthand to refer to the 600 series throughout the rest of this section. But if it’s a Roomba and the model number starts with a 6, everything you’re about to read applies, except that Wi-Fi capabilities vary from model to model . The iRobot Roomba 650 Vacuum Cleaning Robot brings on-board scheduling to the standard-setting Roomba. With AeroVac™ Technology, Roomba 650 easily handles fibers like hair, pet fur, lint and carpet irobot vacuum cleaner fuzz. The Roomba® j7+ & Braava jet® m6 accessories bundle combines the j series replenishment kit, dirt disposal bags, Wet Mopping pads, and Bona® Hard-Surface Cleaning Solution to provide everything you need for a complete clean. The Roomba® s9+ & Braava jet® m6 accessories bundle combines the s series replenishment kit, dirt disposal bags, Wet Mopping pads, and Bona® Hard-Surface Cleaning Solution to provide everything you need for a complete clean.

In addition to how long a model will hold its charge and how much dirt it can hold onboard, also take into account whether it has a self-emptying feature, which may need to be purchased separately. Unlike some of the latest models of Roomba vacuums, the Roomba 675 uses a pair of bristle brush rollers to conquer dirt and debris. So, while the bristles do an excellent job of gathering hair, it occasionally becomes caught around the brush itself and requires extraction. Just make sure to empty it of hair regularly and it will repay you with consistent trouble-free operation.

As of late 2021, it’s no longer one of iRobot’s “core” products and won’t be available through as many retailers as other models, but you can still find it in plenty of places for now. The functionally identical Roomba i6 is also common, as are the auto-emptying Roomba i6+ or Roomba i8+. The Roomba i3 stands out from other brands’ robots at this price mostly because it’s more durable and easier to repair.

The new Roomba® j7+ with PrecisionVision Navigation and the Clean Base® Automatic Dirt Disposal lets you automatically vacuum then mop with the exclusive matching Braava jet® m6 robot mop. Pair with our handheld for a whole-home clean in our most stylish bundle yet. Tabs is a Deals Editor at TechRadar, bringing you all the latest savings on the tech everyone’s talking about and covering deals on gaming, laptops, tablets and more in the US and UK.

If you’re looking for a vacuum with all of Roomba’s best features , go for the s9. It’s about as technologically advanced as Roombas get, featuring Wi-Fi and app integration, learned mapping and navigation, and compatibility with both Alexa and Google Assistant. But, where this model shines is in its ability to clean—and we mean really clean—the entirety of your home. But just because you’re not spending a lot of money on a smart unit doesn’t mean you’re not going to get a clean house. In our testing, we found there are some models that clean really well and can do almost as good a job as a higher-priced option.

You no longer have to suffer the indignity of dragging around an unwieldy plastic hose connected to a clumsy, wheeled canister the size of a Galapagos tortoise. There are many good robot vacuums available to help you dispose of dust, pet hair, and other debris in your home—without needing to lift a finger. We’ve rounded up our highest-rated robot vacuums, and provided a few pointers to help you find just the bot you’re looking for. The affordable Wyze Robot Vacuum methodically zips around your home sucking up dust and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet thanks to top-notch laser mapping and efficient route planning. The 11S is quiet enough that you could easily forget that it’s running if you’re home while it’s working.