How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum

A bargain robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum is a steal. But beware that it may cost more than you expected in maintenance: detangling hair from brushes, clogging inlets, and emptying small dust bins could quickly turn your automated cleaning dream an exercise.

For many the most affordable robot is the iRobot Combo. It provides the same hands-free experience for less than half the price.

Suction Power

Certain models in this range offer enough suction for basic vacuuming. Others may require the use of a handheld nozzle for deeper cleaning. If you live in a house with primarily hard flooring and a low-cost robot vacuum will likely suffice. If you have a mixture of floors, have rugs or pets that shed, you will get the best smart vacuum results with a more capable robot vacuum.

Some budget models come with mopping and a water tank capability, adding to their flexibility. The newer Dyson R7050C for instance, has excellent navigation scores in CR's tests and a generous bin capacity of 770ml, however it's louder than a lot of the other robots we've tried and doesn't have mopping features. Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro is smaller and quieter and comes with an automatic dock. It has a water reservoir, a powerful suction power of 5,500-pascals and an enormous bin that you can fill with cleaning products to boost its effectiveness. You can manage the Q5 Pro via the smart app to vac or mop in a room, a sequence of rooms, or an area as well as set no-go zones and customise mopping and suction settings to suit different rooms.

The budget Shark ION is a great option for those who want something simple, affordable and reliable. It's not as advanced as other models, having an uncomplicated app and basic mapping capabilities, but has superior cleaning and navigation capabilities. It's also among the few robots we've tested which can differentiate between hard flooring and carpets and also comes with a 300ml dust bin that has to be cleaned every 30 days.

If you want a more sophisticated model that can mop, vacuum and draw an outline of your home for smarter obstacle avoidance, consider some of the top models in this price range. The iRobot Roomba 650/750 has a powerful suction, clever combs to remove pet hair as well as fine dirt, and can be controlled via your smart home assistant. The Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 is another option that has outstanding cleaning performance for the price.

Navigation Efficiency

A budget robot vacuum robot cleaner can be just as effective as expensive models, as long as it is able to navigate through your home and avoid obstacles. Our lab technicians used an instrument for tracking in a multi-room test residence to test the robot's ability to navigate and locate rooms it required to clean within a specified time frame, while staying clear of obstacles such as furniture, power cords, and rugs. In addition, we look at how quickly the robot can move across various terrains used in the home such as stairways and transitions between different types of floor.

The most affordable robot vacuums have efficient navigation systems that aid in helping them clean a room without wasting time, running into obstacles or getting stuck. The majority of robot vacuums have the ability to map which is essential for a full-house clean. However, even budget models with no mapping can be used to effectively cover a space, so it's important to consider the cost and features you require for your home.

We also examine how easy it is for robots to cross over thresholds in the home, such as the heights of a door's sill and the heights of a sofa. A budget-friendly robot should be able to pass over these obstacles, and a few offer settings that adjust suction power for different floor types. We also look at whether the robot is compatible with smart home technology and can be controlled remotely through an app or voice commands.

One example of a top budget robot is the iLife V3s Pro, which includes basic mapping capabilities and other advanced features in an extremely affordable price. It can be controlled via the iRobot app, and comes with an auto-return feature which returns it to its original location when the battery has run out and then picks up where it began.

The iLife V3s Pro does not come with the advanced object-avoidance technology that is found on a variety of high-end robots. However it does have live cameras that send an unreliable feed to your phone so you can watch it work. The cameras can spot obstacles and stairs and alert the robot when it comes across them. The iLife however, employs random navigation instead of a method designed to prevent objects from being stuck to furniture legs. It may not be able to maneuver around a tight spot or a leg of a chair as a robotic system with the ability to map.

Cleaning Performance

If you're looking for a robot vacuum it's important to balance cost with performance. The cheapest models might not include advanced features such as mapping however, you can find models that are very effective in cleaning your home. It is important to be aware of the size of the dustbin and the amount of dirt it can hold prior to needing to empty. You'll need to have enough space to accommodate all the debris the robot gathers, such as dirt, pet dander and hair.

You'll also require a robotic vacuum that removes the stains that carpets have. We test all models on the ZDNET robot vacuum chart for their ability to remove hair and dirt from carpet. The best models come with a brush designed to dig into the carpet's fibers and pull out dirt.

Budget models are good at cleaning up small messes from plain floors or Best Budget Robot Vacuum low-pile floor carpets however, they struggle to remove larger pet hairs and debris from carpets with higher pile. These models tend to have less suction power however, they can be effective in removing particles from tight spaces such as corners and under furniture.

The iLife V3s Pro is the best budget model for vacuuming with top marks in our tests with its ability to remove hair and dirt from carpets. It's also among the quieter models we test and user-friendly. It features a suction opening that collects debris instead of pushing it through the bar. It is also 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 direction of the robot, however it doesn't do as good a job of picking up fine dust.

Look for a model with both vacuum and mop functions, like the Combo j9 Plus. The robot can simultaneously mop and self vacuum and you can also customize the settings for each room. It's more expensive than other low-cost robots in our chart, but it has the advantages of a forward-facing camera, which allows for more precise mapping and better obstacles to avoid for things like power cords and cat piss.

Maintenance

Robot vacuums are handy however they come with a cost. Regular maintenance is required to empty the dustbin to changing filters and cleaning their brush bar. They can also get tangled in cords and drop off the stairs, so they need to be monitored attentively.

The most affordable robot vacuums ease the burden because they require minimal management by the user. The best models come with navigation systems that allow them to avoid obstacles and stay clear of hazards like electrical cords, food debris and even dropped food. Sensors are used to map rooms, and create maps that tell them where they have already cleaned.

Even the tiniest robotic vacuums can deliver a good clean if you give them a shot Don't be deterred by the cost of better models. A majority of our top budget picks come from leading OEMs, such as iRobot, Roborock and Dreame You can be confident that they've been developed with care and best budget Robot vacuum built to last.

If you're willing to spend more, think about investing in mopping with a robot. These machines can scrub floors with an aqueous cloth and get rid of staining that is difficult to remove. They can also be used in combination with a mop pad to tackle tough jobs like dried coffee.

The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is the best budget mopping robot we've reviewed in our roundup. It has the sleek and uncluttered appearance of a home hub but the features and performance of a top robovac that includes LiDAR navigation. During our testing the RV30 was able to navigate without hitting furniture, and constructing detailed maps of its flooring, which can be used to reference when it runs. It's the only budget robot we've tested that include this feature, although the iRobot Roomba has similar mapping capabilities with an in-app setting that guides you through the process step-by-step.

Whether you choose a top-rated robot vacuum or a cheaper alternative, you should always maintain your robot regularly. It is a good idea to empty the dust bin after each cleaning task and to clean the filter, if it has one (check the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for more details). You should also replace the battery when needed, and check in on its Wi-Fi connectivity and app updates.