How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum
A bargain-priced robot vacuum is a steal. However, it can cost more than you expect in the maintenance department: untangling the fur from brushes, blocking inlets and emptying the tiny dust bins could quickly turn your dream of automated cleaning a chore.
Learn Even more Here is the best budget robot for a lot of people. It provides the exact hands-off performance for a fraction of the price.
Suction Power
Some models in this price range have sufficient suction to perform basic vacuuming, however others might require a bit of assistance with a handheld nozzle in order to reach the deepest cracks and crevices. A budget robot vacuum is likely to complete the job well if you live in an apartment with primarily hard floors. But if your floors have a mix of surfaces and there are carpets, or have pets that shed, a higher-end model will provide the best results for the cost.
A few budget models include mopping and a water tank capability, further increasing their versatility. The newer Dyson R7050C for instance, has excellent scores in CR's tests of navigation and a generous bin of 770ml, but it's louder than most of the other robots we've tested, and doesn't have mopping features. The smaller Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro, however, is surprisingly quiet and has an auto-empty dock. It also has an water tank, powerful suction capacity of 5,500pascal and a large bin that can be filled with cleaning solution to make it an effective mopping machine. The Q5 Pro can be controlled through the app's smart function, which allows you to vacuum or mop a room, sequence of rooms, or a whole area. You can also set up no-go zones, and set suction settings to your preferences for each room.
The budget Shark ION is a great choice for those seeking something basic, affordable and reliable. It's not as advanced as some of the other models we've tested that have a simple app and basic mapping capabilities, but it does have good navigation and cleaning capabilities. It's also one of only few robots that discern between hard flooring and carpets. The 300ml dustbin is only empty once every 30 days.
Take a look at some of the top models within this price range if you want something more sophisticated that can vacuum, mop, and create maps for more effective obstacle-avoiding. The iRobot Roomba 650/750 has a powerful suction, clever combs to remove pet hair and fine dirt, and can be controlled through your smart home assistant. Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 offers a great cleaning performance at a reasonable price.
Navigation Efficiency
A budget-friendly robot vacuum could be as effective as a higher-priced model, provided that it can navigate your home and avoid obstacles. Our lab technicians utilized a tracking device in a multi-room test residence to test the robot's ability to navigate and locate the rooms it required to clean within a specific timeframe, while also keeping away from obstacles like furniture, power cords and rug. We also evaluate the speed at which robots can traverse different terrains in a house, including stairways and floor transitions.
The most affordable robot vacuums have navigation systems that enable them to effectively clean a room without having to waste time or crashing into obstacles. Many models have mapping capabilities, which are crucial for full-house cleaning. Even models that aren't mapping can effectively cover a room. It's important to weigh the cost of your device with the features you require.
We also consider the ease with which robots can cross over thresholds in the home, for example the heights of a door's sill or a sofa. A budget-friendly robot should be able to negotiate these obstacles, and some have settings that can adjust the suction power based on the floor type. We also look at whether the robot is compatible with smart home technology and can be controlled remotely via an app or voice commands.
One excellent budget robot is the iLife V3s Pro, which has basic mapping capability and other advanced features in a very affordable price. It is controlled via the iRobot App and has an automatic return feature that returns the robot to its home base when the battery is low and then picks up where it left off.
The iLife V3s Pro doesn't have the advanced object avoidance features found on numerous premium robots, however it has a live camera that transmits an unreliable video feed to your smartphone so that you can monitor it while it is working. The cameras can spot stairs and other obstructions and alert the robot if it comes across them. However the iLife utilizes random navigation instead of a method that is designed to avoid objects stuck against furniture legs, which means it might not be able to get around a leg of a chair or any other tight spot as a robot that has mapping capabilities.
Cleaning Performance
When you're shopping for a robot vacuum it's important to balance cost with performance. There are models that aren't as expensive and don't include advanced features such as mapping, but you can find some that excel in cleaning your home. Be aware of the size and capacity of the dustbin. You'll need enough space to fit all the debris that robots accumulate including hair, dirt, and pet dander.
You'll want a vacuum capable of removing dirt and stains from carpets, too. We test all models on the ZDNET robot vacuum chart for their ability to remove hair and dirt from carpet. The best ones have a special brush designed to dig into the carpet fibers and remove debris.
Budget models are effective in cleaning small spills from plain floors or low-pile floor carpets but they struggle to remove larger debris and pet hairs from higher-pile carpets. They typically have less suction power than higher-end models however they can do a an excellent job of cleaning up obstructions from tight spaces like corners and under furniture.
The iLife V3s Pro is the most affordable vacuuming model with high marks in our testing due to its ability to remove dirt and hair off carpets. It is also one of our quieter models, and is simple to use. It features a suction opening that collects debris instead of pushing it through the brush bar. It is also able to adjust the power to match any surface. It also comes with a side brush that has three bristles that push hair and debris into the direction of the robot, however it's not as effective at as it does in picking up fine dust.
Choose a model that includes both vacuum and mop functions, such as the Combo j9 Plus. This robot can mop and vacuum simultaneously and you can alter the settings for each room. It's more expensive than other budget robot vacs in our list however, it has the advantages of having a forward-facing camera that allows more precise mapping and better protection against obstacles such as power cords and cat piss.
Maintenance
The ease of use robot vacuums provide is fantastic, but the technology comes with cost. Regular maintenance is essential for everything from emptying the dust bin to changing filters and cleaning their brush bar. They can also get tangled in cords and fall off the stairs, so they must be watched with care.
The best budget robot vacuums reduce these hassles because they require minimal management by the user. Top picks are equipped with navigation systems that enable them to avoid obstacles and stay clear of dangers like electrical cords and dropped foods. They use sensors to map rooms and create maps that tell them where they've cleaned.
Don't let the price of the more expensive models deter you. They are still able to do a fantastic job if given the chance. A majority of our top budget picks are made by top OEMs such as iRobot, Roborock and Dreame, so you'll be assured that they've been designed with care and built to last.
If you're willing more, think about a mopping robot. These machines can scrub floors with an aqueous cloth and get rid of stubborn stains. They can also be used combination with mop pads to tackle tough jobs, such as dried coffee.
There are many mopping robots featured in our roundup but the most affordable model is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus. It has a sleek, uncluttered appearance, but it also has all the features and capabilities of a top robot vacuum. During our tests the RV30 was capable of navigating without hitting furniture and building detailed maps of its floors that can be used to reference when it runs. This is the only robot in the budget that we tested with this feature. iRobot Roomba also has mapping capabilities, however the app's setup guides you through the entire procedure.
If you decide to go with an expensive robot vac uum or a cheaper alternative, you should always maintain your robovac regularly. It's a good idea empty the dust bin after each cleaning task, and also to clean the filter if you have one (check the manual of your owner or the website of the manufacturer for details). Replace the battery when required and test the Wi-Fi connection.