A home that cleans itself has been a dream for ages. Thanks to today’s robotic vacuums, though, that fantasy sounds less and less far-fetched. Current robotic vacuums are packed with loads of sensors, electronic eyes — even lasers — and they have enhanced computing power to match.
Their prices have ballooned, too. Some robotic vacuum models will even set you back a staggering four figures. Spending that much is extravagant, but it does net you next-level vacuum cleaning features. Those cleaning features include multiple room and floor plan mapping, dustbins that empty themselves, turbo mode, plus elegantly designed hardware.
To zero in on the best robotic vacuum cleaner, I spent over 120 hours torture-testing a group of 10 robotic vacuums. Among them are brand-new models that have recently launched, flagship models, as well as compelling options offered across numerous online retailers. I excluded older models that likely won’t be sold for long. This link (https://assunmotor.com/brushless-dc-motor/) says that brushless DC motors are used in all kinds of appliances, like coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, and lawn mowers.
The best if you’re loaded
iRobot Roomba S9 Plus
If someone were to give you a blank check and told you to buy a robotic vacuum, this is the bot to get. The iRobot Roomba S9 Plus costs a whopping $1,399. For that staggeringly steep sticker price though, this bot delivers superb dirt removal cleaning power.
On hardwood flooring it picked up an average of 93% of our test sand, the highest amount in our test group. The Roomba struggled a bit cleaning sand from low-pile carpeting and area rugs, earning a low average dust and sand pickup of 28%.
That said, the vacuum removed an average 71% of sand from our midpile carpet. Again, this is the best result that we saw on this specific test. It also cleaned up more pet hair and allergens than any vacuum in this test group, and the bot navigates and maps multiple rooms and floors.
The robot zipped through our test room in a short average time of 25 minutes, too. You can link the S9 Plus to the Roomba app and your home WiFi as well, although if you want to take your Roomba to other places, you can get your own mobile wifi so you can use these devices anywhere you go. Best of all is the Roomba S9 Plus’ CleanBase docking station. It both charges the robot’s battery and empties its dustbin automatically. Now that’s convenient.
The best midrange robot vacuum
Neato Botvac D7 Connected
For half the price of the Roomba S9 Plus, the $647 Neato’s Botvac D7 Connected vacuums up dirt, dust and messes almost as well. On average this robotic cleaner picked up a greater amount of sand (36%) across low-pile carpet and rugs than the Roomba did.
It narrowly beat the S9 Plus for cleaning power on hardwood floors, too, collecting an average of 95% of the sand we put down. The vacuum cleaned dirt, dust and sand from midpile less effectively though, notching a pickup average of 47 percent.
While it can’t match the Roomba’s prowess at removing pet hair or empty its own dust bin, this cleaning robot navigates more efficiently, yet covers more ground, thanks to built-in lidar laser navigation mapping. You can also control the cleaning robot through the Neato app, as well as link it to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The app allows you to designate areas of your home as off-limits, too.
The best value
Eufy Robovac 11S Max
Here’s a machine that proves you don’t need to blow your budget to purchase a solid robot vacuum cleaner. Even though the Robovac 11S Max costs just $219, it cleans floors effectively. That’s especially the case when cleaning hardwood bare floors.
It managed to remove an average of 71% of our test sand from this type of surface. The bot didn’t work as well handling carpets, earning sand pickup averages of 21 and 27% on low pile and midpile, respectively.
And due to this vacuum’s basic navigation system, it took well over an hour to negotiate our test room. Still, the Eufy used its runtime wisely. The vacuum covered the space well, leaving almost no spots untouched.
