Introduction

Looking for an affordable robot vacuum cleaner that could be perfect for your home? From cheaper alternatives to more-expensive models and services such as eufy RoboVac, iRobot’s latest self-emptying upright vacuum is starting to catch the eye of a wider variety of shoppers. In these latest models, the vacuum has a new roll-start feature, which enhances the suction power but will also help you keep a cleaner house. You can fully automate the machine using a table attachment for a robot wash, and the Roomba 680 in particular has been targeted at homes with children aged over 16. Which? Below we offer our expert tips on what kind of vacuum you should buy, including reviewing models with a high-res zoom camera, battery life, pet hair removal, app control and on-board filters. Whether you’re looking to invest in low-priced cordless vacuum cleaners or want to make the big move from a traditional upright model into a device that can do better in a range of situations, we’ve made it easy to find more than 350 models to choose from, and whether you find your machine worth buying or best avoided, take advantage of our robot vacuum reviews or take a look at our guide to buying the smartest robot cleaner for £200. We’ve also tested most of the latest models when they launched in 2018 – so read on to see how they fared in our full independent reviews.

The best cheap robot vacuums you can buy today

We’ve tested a number of robot vacuum cleaners from brands such as Bosch, iRobot, Dyson and Shark that all come with automatic suction and mapping in addition to the normal speed of the mop. Here’s a look at some of our current favorites, and which aren’t: Note: Most of these products only work in one cleaning mode. They’re not connected to Amazon’s Alexa voice service, so they won’t automatically set up appointments in the home. If you want a flexible floor cleaner that can track cleanings around your home without having to remember and replace batteries, you may want to consider smart home devices first, first seen on the Home Depot app. We reviewed the Ecovacs Roborock S3+, a first-in-class smart flooring robot. It’s not quite as powerful as a cordless vacuum, but it’s just about as robust and also works on carpet as well as hard floors. With an impressive 5.25-liter battery, it can pick up deeper dirt without requiring you to replace the cleaning wand. Some models can be recalibrated automatically, like the Amazon Echo, so you’ll know exactly where it has cleaned. Still, the larger scale of the space and likely greater amount of dust will warrant some modifications to the way it cleans. For a robot vacuum with a smaller dustbin and no anti-tangle brush, it may be less powerful and won’t clean both carpets and floors as well, which can prove frustrating for those who are after a bagless model that mops your floors and your whole downstairs. We’ve tested various models from major brands like iRobot and Samsung, including the priciest Shark Ion S9+, this recently-released vacuum from Samsung which retails for an incredible $799.99 at Currys PC World.

Upright vacuum cleaners

The main difference between a cordless vacuum and an upright is the power to suck up pet hair. Many upright models measure in at around 1/2.3-3.1 inches (30.4cm/8.5cm) tall, so it may be a little easier to lift your pet around during regular cleaning. They generally come with brushes, which are included with the vacuum, to detach from the body, enabling you to manually empty, replace or even replace them as well. Although some are portable, other upright vacs, and unhygienic lifts that offer dual capacities, can be inconvenient to keep up with. Some, such as the Eufy Ultimate, you’ll be required to vacuum regularly for around up to 100 minutes each time you pick up. We’ve given a few how to guide you through finding the best one for you and checking out Adam’s first hand tips. Even though iRobot will now also supply all of the energy you need for your vacuum using its so-called Smart Auto’ system, you’ll still only be able to use a small fraction of it if you used a regular dusting brush only (most models won’t, of course). Some online retailers have also launched ‘opacity storage’ sections for some cordless vacs, rather than free storage zones. Slower cleaner models with a smaller capacity are best for cleaning stairs, closer to car routes, and those that can reach the upper reach. You can get a range - and cheaper models - from Eufy. Find out if some of our picks are right for you by heading to the drop down page to see the cheapest and most popular. Low cost models are often one of the cheaper, simplest cleaners to pick up. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, then it may be worth checking out our expert tips on how to buy a best vacuum cleaner, including mopping and low energy usage models.

Are robot vacuum cleaners any good?

If you can decide between the likes of Ecovacs, Dyson or Shark, read our Robovac reviews. But if you’re unsure whether your products will suit you, we’ve put together our verdict on how smart each vacuum is, whether they use smart sensors that tell you which areas need work, and how they all perform together on their own terms. Be aware that there are many different kinds of robot models, so our research also looks at what kind of computers are suitable for the task, as well as some of the lesser and more expensive versions. Both the WIRED lab, a free lab that we run monthly, helps you test out the tools you’ll need to find the right vacuum for your home, while the product reviews are your guide to the robot options at home – which we don’t include in the buying guide above.

Pros of cordless vacuums

As mentioned earlier, when it comes to cleaning the house, there’s no getting away from the fact that powerful suction engines always need to be fed. This means it’ll take longer to get to the root of every problem and it means you will also have more work to do if there is an open area to clear. However, smart features and Wi-Fi connectivity also help in picking up pet hair, kitty litter and hair balls. Overall, it’s a winner. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, though, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Comprising of two main types: models are available from major suppliers such as Gtech and Bosch, with some offering bundled accessories. They can vary in their prices from £80 to £200. These can all be picked up at Amazon, as well as some other websites, but the models that we’re referring to below are all cheap and quick to install. While you won’t find all of the mains-powered features of a robot vacuum cleaner (for instance, a range of hair dryers like Dyson’s Spot and Roborock) - the vacuum’s only on-board control comes from a remote, which is particularly handy if you have stairs or a lot of carpeting - they often come with long-lasting batteries that give you a long time to recharge them. Most models have this battery that can be swapped out to charge your device overnight, while others can take more than a day. Some models also include the ability to store multiple batteries on board, so you can get multiple cleaning sessions up and down each aisle. You won’t have to empty the bin as often, but it should be possible to clean a room every couple of days.