The Best Budget Robot Vacuums
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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High-end robot vacuums use 3D sensors to avoid objects, detect stairs and map rooms, however, even inexpensive robots are getting smarter thanks to affordable sensors that are “coming out of cheap cameras for cell phones,” explained Henrik Christensen to the Robotic Industries Association. Today, a budget robot vacuum is smarter than a $1,500 robot vacuum from the early 2000s. For example, iRobot’s $199 Create 2 (Roomba) uses PrimeSense sensors like the ones found in iPhones and Kinect cameras.
Nevertheless, robot vacuums are still fairly dumb. They smear wet messes (like dog poop), knock into furniture, and even the most powerful robot vacuums still get stuck on high-pile carpet.
Is a Robot Vacuum Worth It?
Owning a robotic vacuum cleaner may benefit those who suffer from asthma or allergies. Dr. Richard Corsi, an indoor air-quality expert, concluded that those with asthma shouldn’t be present during vacuuming sessions. Why? Because vacuuming temporarily releases pollutants into the air.
Using a robot vacuum is one way to minimize exposure to these particulates. “Slow and steady vacuuming helps to keep dust from flying up into the air and also allows the vacuum the chance to effectively remove and contain particulate,” according to the Indoor Air Quality Association.
Regardless of vacuum type, both the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Additionally, an indoor air purifier with a True HEPA filter may further reduce the level of suspended particulates.
The cheapest robot vacuums clean until their battery dies. Self-charging vacuums are more expensive: They’re supposed to dock and recharge automatically. However, cords, carpets, chairs, clothes and cats are some of the reasons that a vacuum may not dock properly, regardless of its price.
Some robot vacuums are louder than others, but none are truly quiet: Apartment owners (especially those with hardwood floors) should consider downstairs neighbors before buying one.
How Much Does a Good Robot Vacuum Cost?
A good robot vacuum (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $191, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same robotic vacuums cost around $133 while on sale: an average discount of 30%. Here are the best affordable robot vacuums for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find robot vacuums with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any vacuum with a price above the mid-point.
To find robotic vacuums with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Models with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, approximately 85% of the products that are analyzed are eliminated for one or more of the reasons above.
Kenmore 31510 Robot Vacuum Cleaner by Cleva
Good Value: $193 | Great Deal: $180
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa, Google Home
Kenmore’s affordable robot vacuum cleaner is slim enough to fit beneath furniture, smart enough to make it home and it has a convenient scheduling function, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say that this model handles pet hair well, however, some caution that long hair tangles on the wheels.
iLIfe A9 Alexa-Compatible Robot Vacuum
Good Value: $231 | Great Deal: $160
Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa
iLife’s affordable smart vacuum is quiet, reasonably intelligent and it integrates well with Alexa, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this unit doesn’t always return to its charging dock; others complain of dropped WiFi connections. Dog owners say the iLife V3s Pro (see below) is better with pet hair.
eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 15C MAX With WiFi
Good Value: $246 | Great Deal: $176
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa, Google Home
Anker’s WiFi-connected robot vacuum pairs well with Alexa and Google Assistant, has a convenient scheduling app and it keeps pet hair under control, according to several customers. Some reviewers caution that this vacuum gets tangled in power cords; others say that it struggles to find its charging dock. Many customers note that the brushes collect hair and must be cleaned as often as the dust bin is emptied.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Roborock E4 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Good Value: $253 | Great Deal: $189
Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa
Roborock’s budget robot vacuum is powerful, uses a logical cleaning pattern and it navigates carpeting with ease, according to several online customers. Some reviewers were disappointed that this model doesn’t work with Google Assistant; others say that this unit has a rudimentary app that is difficult to connect to WiFi.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
iRobot Roomba 614 Robot Vacuum
Good Value: $234 | Great Deal: $150
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
iRobot’s entry-level robot vacuum is durable and effective at picking up long pet hairs, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish this model had WiFi and a more intelligent cleaning pattern.
Ecovacs DEEBOT 500 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Good Value: $203 | Great Deal: $99
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa, Google Home
The Deebot 500 has strong suction, a low profile and it can transition between hardwood and rugs, according to several online customers. Some reviewers caution that this model doesn’t detect stairs well; others were frustrated by the Ecovacs app (and warn that this vacuum only connects to WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band).
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
iRobot Roomba 675 Alexa-Compatible Robot Vacuum
Good Value: $257 | Great Deal: $174
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: Yes
Works With: Alexa, Google Home
This cheap Roomba is easy to schedule and it cleans wood floors (and pet hair) especially well, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this robot vacuum is loud and has trouble docking; some customers complain that the Roomba won’t clean dark floors because it mistakes the darkness for a “cliff.”
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
ILife V3s Pro Robotic Vacuum
Good Value: $150 | Great Deal: $100
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
ILife’s V3s robot vacuum is great for dog hair and it is especially effective on hard floors, according to several online reviews. Some customers said this model is ineffective on carpet and noisy to run.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S MAX
Good Value: $236 | Great Deal: $170
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
Anker’s inexpensive robot vacuum is quiet, efficient on hardwood floors and slim enough to fit beneath furniture, according to several customers. Some reviewers warn that this vacuum gets stuck on rugs; others wish that it had a larger dust bin. A few customers say this vacuum struggles to find its charging base.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Black Friday.
Bobsweep Bobi Classic Robot Vacuum & Mop
Good Value: $300 | Great Deal: $250
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
The Bobi has a powerful motor, long battery life and is effective on pet hair, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this vacuum only works well on open, hardwood spaces; others caution that the mop feature is only suitable for small rooms. Some reviewers say this vacuum chipped their furniture.
ILife A4s Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Good Value: $166 | Great Deal: $125
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
The A4s is effective, yet maddening to watch because of its “bounce around” cleaning pattern, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this vacuum cleans until it runs out of battery, before it can re-dock.
Shark ION Robot Dual-Action Robot Vacuum (RV720)
Good Value: $264 | Great Deal: $181
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Self Charging: Yes
App Control: No
Shark’s budget robot vacuum is effective on dog hair, it rarely gets stuck and it operates more quietly than other robot vacuums, according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that the scheduling feature does not work properly; others say their vacuum stopped operating after 12 months of use.
About the Author: John DeFeo was formerly the head of editorial insights for Tom’s Guide. He specializes in the analysis of Amazon reviews and publishes a list of daily deals on his charitable sub-Reddit, Black Friday Today.
