How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum
A bargain robot vacuum is a great deal. Beware of the maintenance costs that might be higher than expected: tangles in brushes, air inlets that are blocked and emptied dust bins will quickly transform your dream of automated cleaning into a burden.
For many the most affordable robot is the iRobot j7 Combo. It offers the same hands-off performance for a fraction of the price.
Suction Power
Certain models that are priced at this level have strong enough suction for basic vacuuming, while others may need a little assistance with a handheld nozzle in order to get deep into crevices and cracks. If you live in a home that has mostly hard flooring or carpet, a budget-friendly robot vacuum will likely do the trick. If you have a mixture of floors, rugs or pets who shed, you'll have the best results using the most powerful robot vacuum.
Some models with a budget price include mopping features and a water tank, which increases their capabilities. The more recent Dyson R7050C is a good example. It has excellent navigation scores in CR's tests and a generous bin of 770ml, but it's louder than a lot of the other robots we've tested and doesn't offer mopping features. Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro is smaller and quieter and has an automated dock. It comes with a water reservoir with a suction capacity of 5,500-pascals, and an enormous bin that you can fill with cleaning products to make it more efficient. The Q5 Pro can be controlled by the smart app which allows you to vacuum or mop a room or sequence of rooms or an entire space. You can also establish no-go zones and set suction settings to your preferences for each room.
The Shark ION is a good option for those seeking something affordable easy to use and reliable. It's not as advanced as other models, and comes with an uncomplicated app and basic maps, but it has outstanding cleaning and navigation capabilities as well as cleaning. It's also one of the few robots we've tested that can distinguish between hard flooring and carpets and also has a 300ml dustbin that only needs to be empty every 30 days.
If you want a more advanced model that can mop, vacuum and even create a map of your home to help you avoid obstacles look at some of the most expensive options in this price range. The iRobot Roomba 650/750 has a powerful suction, a clever comb to remove pet hair and fine dirt, and can be controlled through 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 as the more expensive models as long as it is able to navigate your home and avoid obstacles. Our lab technicians employed the tracking device in a multi-room test home to evaluate the robot's ability to navigate and locate the rooms it required to clean within a specific time frame, while staying clear of obstacles such as power cords, furniture, and rug. Additionally, we examine how fast the robot can move across a variety of household terrain including stairways as well as transitions between different types of floors.
The best budget robot vacuums feature efficient navigation systems that help to clean up a room without having to waste time, crashing into obstacles, or getting stuck. The majority of robot vacuums have the ability to map which is essential for a complete house cleaning. Even models that aren't mapping can efficiently cover a room. smart robot is crucial to balance the cost of your machine with the features that you need.
We also consider how easy it is for a robot to pass over common household thresholds such as the threshold of a door's sill or the width of a sofa. A good budget robot will be able to pass through these obstacles and some have settings that can adjust the suction power depending on the floor type. Finally, we look at whether a budget-friendly robot is compatible with your smart home setup and can be controlled remotely through an app or voice command.
The iLife V3s Pro is a fantastic example of a budget robot that comes with basic mapping capabilities as well as smart features. It's also quite affordable. It can be controlled using the iRobot app, and comes with an auto-return feature that returns it to its original location when the battery is exhausted and then picks up where it was when it left.
The iLife V3s Pro doesn't have the advanced object avoidance features found on numerous premium robots, however it does have a live camera that transmits a grainy video feed to your phone so you can keep an eye on the robot as it performs. The cameras can detect obstacles and stairs and alert the robot if it encounters them. The iLife, however, uses random navigation instead of a method that is designed to prevent objects from being stuck to furniture legs. It might not be able to maneuver through a tight space or chair leg as well as a robotic system with mapping capabilities.
Cleaning Performance
When choosing a robotic vacuum, it is important to consider the price and performance. Budget models may not feature advanced features such as mapping however, you can find some that excel in cleaning your home. You should also pay attention to the dimensions of the dustbins on robots and how much dirt it can hold before having to empty it. You'll need enough room to accommodate all the trash that robots accumulate including hair dirt, pet dander.
You'll need a machine capable of removing stains and dirt from carpets as well. We test every model in the ZDNET robot vacuum chart for their ability to lift hair and dirt from carpet. The best ones have a special brush that is designed to penetrate the carpet fibers and remove dirt.
Most budget models do well in removing messes from carpets that are not paved or carpets with low piles, but struggle to clear larger pieces of pet hair and debris from carpets with higher pile. These models usually have less suction power however they can be effective in cleaning particles from tight spaces like corners and under furniture.
The iLife V3s Pro is the most affordable vacuuming model, scoring top marks in our tests due to its ability to lift dirt and hair off carpets. It is also one of our quieter models and easy to use. It has a small suction opening that collects debris instead of pushing it through the bar, and it has the ability to adjust the power to match the surface. It also has a side brush with three bristles that push hair and debris into the direction of the robot, however it's not doing as good as it does in picking up fine dust.
If you require a vacuum and a mop, look for a model that can do both such as the Combo j9 Plus. This robot can simultaneously vac and mop, and you can make specific vac/mop settings to each room. It's more expensive compared to other budget robot vacuums on our list however it comes with the advantages of having a forward-facing camera that allows more precise mapping and better protection against obstacles such as power cords and cat poop.
Maintenance
Robot vacuums are useful, but they come at price. Regular maintenance is essential, from emptying the dustbin to changing filters and cleaning the brush bar. They can also get caught in cords or drop off the stairs, which is why they should be monitored attentively.
The most affordable robot vacuums can ease these problems because they require minimal administration by the user. The top models are equipped with navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles and avoid hazards like electrical cords and food items that have been dropped. They also make use of a mix of sensors to map rooms and create maps that show the areas they've cleaned before so they don't go over the same areas again.
Don't let the cost of the more expensive models deter you. They are still able to do a fantastic job if given a chance. Many of our top budget picks are made by top OEMs like iRobot, Roborock and Dreame, so you'll be assured that they've been designed with the utmost care and built to last.
If you're willing to spend more, consider mopping with a robot. These machines can clean floors using an aqueous cloth and get rid of the most stubborn stains. They can also be used in conjunction with a mop pad to tackle tough jobs, such as dried coffee.
There are many mopping robots included in our list, but the best budget model is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus. It has the sleek elegant, minimalist design of a home hub, but the performance and features of a top-rated robot, including LiDAR navigation. During our testing the RV30 was able to navigate without hitting furniture, and constructing detailed maps of its flooring that can be used to reference when it runs. It's the only budget robot we've tested that include this feature, although iRobot's Roomba offers similar mapping capabilities with an in-app setup that walks you through the process step-by-step.
Whether you choose an expensive robot or a less expensive option, always remember to maintain your robot regularly. You should empty the trash bin and clean the filter after each cleaning session (refer to the owner's manual or the site of the manufacturer for more details). Replace the battery when needed and check its Wi-Fi connectivity.