October 2021
Robotic Vacuums: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Robotic Vacuum rankings posted by key online experts, as of October 2021.
At a glance - October 2021 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Robotic Vacuum |
Rtings.com
|
Consumer Reports
|
The Strategist
|
Good Housekeeping
|
CNET
|
WIRED
|
HGTV
|
Business Insider
|
Wirecutter
|
Modern Castle
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $1080 |
iRobot Roomba s9+
The best smart vacuum that takes care of itself
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | $198 |
Eufy RoboVac 11S
The most affordable robotic vacuum that’s perfect for spaces with low furniture
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $540 |
iRobot Roomba i3 Plus
Best self-emptying vacuum for general cleaning
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $270 |
Roborock E4
One of the more affordable robotic vacuums available that's actually decent
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
+1 | $248 |
iRobot Roomba 694
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
6
|
-1 | $256 |
iRobot Roomba e5
A good robotic vacuum that may not have all the usual features, but performs well where it matters
|
-
|
5
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
7
|
- | Check price |
iRobot Roomba 614
A reliable cleaning robot that has a great battery life
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $176 |
Eufy RoboVac 15C Max
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
New * | $899 |
iRobot Roomba s9
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
10
|
-1 | $275 |
Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge
A robotic vacuum that is very easy to use
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
-1 | $430 |
Roborock S4 Max
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
12
|
-1 | $525 |
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
-1 | $249 |
iRobot Roomba 675
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
|
14
|
New * | $749 |
Roomba i7 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
15
|
-2 | $180 |
Yeedi K650
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
-2 | $700 |
Roborock S6 MaxV
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
-2 | $349 |
iRobot Roomba i3
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba s9+ #1 in October 2021 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked iRobot Roomba s9+ as #1.
- Good performance on wooden floors
- Autonomous dirt disposal
- Advanced navigation capability
- Loud operation
- Expensive
Experts are impressed with the iRobot Roomba s9+, which passed every performance test with flying colors. The suction is powerful enough to collect human/pet hair, small particles, larger debris, and it has no problem picking up dirt from wooden floors. Performance on carpeted areas was almost just as good. Its unique D-shaped design allows it to tackle corners with no difficulty. It uses a smart mapping system so it can remember the layout of various rooms. Most experts also praise its ability to empty the collected dirt into a dustbin without any human intervention. The device intuitively returns to its charging base when it’s time to repower. Once fully-charged, it returns to its previous position to keep cleaning. One negative point some reviewers noted is that it tends to be loud while operating. It may be noisy, but the iRobot Roomba s9+ certainly gets the job done.
Good Housekeeping
Best Overall Robot Vacuum
|
Pros
Automatic dirt disposal reduces airborne allergens
Easily picks up dirt on carpet and bare flooring
|
Cons
Automatic dirt disposal has a large footprint
Noisy
Pricey
|
Business Insider
Best Robot Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
|
Pros
Cleans Well On Hardwood Flooring
Good Performance On Carpeting
Rarely Gets Stuck
Comes With a Charging Dock That Empties the Dustbin
Large Main Brushes
Has a Useful App With Virtual No-Go Zones
|
Cons
Loud
Poor Performance in Carpeted Corners
|
Modern Castle
Best Robot Vacuum for 2021 Overall
|
Pros
D-shaped body makes it easier to access corners and edges
Dust bin empties automatically, the same technology as the Roomba i7+
Improved smart navigation using Imprint technology for zoned cleanings and digital mapping
|
Cons
Much more expensive than other models on the market
Requires physical barriers to block off sensitive spaces
|
We ranked Eufy RoboVac 11S #2 in October 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Eufy RoboVac 11S as #1.
- The price is reasonable
- Quiet operator
- Can reach tight spaces
- It doesn’t look durable
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is an affordable robotic vacuum cleaner that received very high scores in expert reviews. All were rather surprised at how well it cleaned bare floors, even with just one sweep. It was able to pick up most of the debris during tests. The clever design allows it to fit into spaces that other vacuums can’t reach. The Robovac 11S was also praised for being very quiet. The sound it produces is barely noticeable. While experts agree that this is a good vacuum for the price point, they also agree that it will probably not last more than a few years. However, considering all the advantages, it is probably still worth it.
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Robotic Vacuums.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Robotic Vacuums, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for October 2021 ranking
Rtings.com
Consumer Reports
The Strategist
Good Housekeeping
CNET
WIRED
HGTV
Business Insider
Wirecutter
Modern Castle
We ranked iRobot Roomba i3 Plus #3 in October 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iRobot Roomba i3 Plus as #1.
- Good cleaning performance
- Strong suction power
- Self-emptying
- A bit noisy
- No mapping capability
The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus may not come with all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, like mapping and setting no-go zones, but it certainly does excel in other areas. Experts are unanimous about two things. Firstly, it collects dirt from carpets and rugs effectively. Secondly, its ability to unload collected dirt automatically into the bin is useful and convenient for users. A review by Business Insider mentioned that it never got stuck during testing and that it concentrated specially on cleaning dirtier areas. Reviewers also praised the strong suction capability of this model. Unfortunately, despite all the praise, there’s no way to remedy the loud sound of this machine. Setting it up is easy and takes mere minutes to get it ready for use. It may not be the most advanced robotic vacuum on the market, but the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus does the job well.
Business Insider
Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet
|
Pros
Excellent Performance On Carpeting
Cleans Well On Hardwood
Pairs With the App and Alexa
Comes With An Automatic Dirt Disposal Base
Doesn't Get Stuck Easily
|
Cons
Loud
Virtual Wall Barriers Cost Extra
Not Impressive in Corners
|
We ranked Roborock E4 #4 in October 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Good price for the features
- Impressive performance
- Good battery life
- Requires frequent maintenance
The Roborock E4 presents a more affordable option for consumers who want a good robotic vacuum without spending a small fortune. Experts found that it performs well with picking up dirt from ordinary flat floor textures. It additionally manages to deliver the same efficiency on carpets and rugs. It intuitively detects the surface type it is on and adjusts the suction power automatically. This ability to adjust suction helps to conserve battery, allowing it to do more cleaning overall. The mapping feature is nothing special, but navigation is excellent, and the machine can still navigate its way into hard-to-reach places. A HGTV review commented on how much real estate the Roborock E4 can cover with one full charge. HGTV also notes that the biggest downside is that it does indeed make a lot of noise. But given all the benefits, including its affordability, it might be a good option.
Rtings.com
Cheaper Alternative
|
Pros
Outstanding performance on bare floors.
Very good build quality.
Great maneuverability.
Remarkable battery life.
|
Cons
Many maintenance needs.
High recurring costs.
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba 694 #5 in October 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked iRobot Roomba e5 #6 in October 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Good suction performance
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Extended battery life
- Lack of mapping capability
The iRobot Roomba e5 has earned an excellent rating from reviewers for its impressive overall performance. Experts agree that the e5 excels at picking up dirt and debris. It can perform exceedingly well on wooden floors as well as carpet. It also comes with a handy app that can be used to initiate cleaning, and stop it as well. You can also use the app to set cleaning schedules. It will continue cleaning until it is about to run out of power and once it does, it will automatically return to its recharging base. When charged again it will resume cleaning from exactly where it left off. The battery is decent enough to last more than an hour before requiring a recharge. It is also equipped with edge detection for your peace of mind. So all in all, the price vs. performance seems like a fair trade here.
Modern Castle
Great Roomba Value Pick
|
Pros
Excellent cleaning performance on all floor types, but especially impressive on carpets
Fantastic value considering its high-quality performance and set of features
|
Cons
No on-board camera for advanced navigation or zoned cleaning cycles
Does not include Recharge & Resume feature
No option for the self-emptying dust bin (like on the i7+ or S9+)
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba 614 #7 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iRobot Roomba 614 as #1.
- Battery life is superb
- Good cleaning performance on various surfaces
- No common points of criticism among experts
The iRobot Roomba 614 is an affordable option for consumers who want a simplistic robotic vacuum that does what it’s supposed to do efficiently. It is well-built and looks durable enough to last a long time. It does a remarkable job at cleaning flat surfaces such as wooden floors, and its performance on carpet and rugs is acceptable. The size allows it to fit into spaces with low vertical clearance, such as under sofas and coffee tables, so it can clean areas thoroughly. Navigation is quite good too. In tests, it was able to maneuver its way around a complicated room layout, avoiding obstacles in its path. The battery life is impressive; experts had no complaints regarding that. Overall, considering the reasonable price, it’s not a bad option at all.
We ranked Eufy RoboVac 15C Max #8 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Good Housekeeping
Best Value Robot Vacuum
|
Pros
Slim design gets under low furniture
Multiple options for deep or regular cleaning
Removes pet hair from carpet with ease
|
Cons
Random cleaning pattern
Filters aren't washable
|
Business Insider
The best budget robot vacuum
|
Pros
Good performance on carpeting and hardwood,
doesn't get stuck easily
quiet
supported by an app
Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
fits into small spaces
|
Cons
Did poorly in corner cleaning tests and picking up flour on carpeting
app doesn't let you set no-go zones
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba s9 #9 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Rtings.com
Best Robot Vacuum For Carpet
|
Pros
Excellent build quality.
Fantastic battery performance.
Amazing maneuverability.
Clears debris effectively on bare floors.
|
Cons
Bulky design lacks a carrying handle.
High recurring costs.
Demanding maintenance requirements.
|
We ranked Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge #10 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Ease of use
- Useful accompanying app
- Can reach places with low vertical clearance
- Costly to maintain
The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge is another robotic vacuum that experts have commented is easy to use. However, its performance is just average in terms of cleaning efficiency compared to other models on the market. Additionally, it doesn’t excel at carpet cleaning either. Despite that, it is still a definite improvement to the 11S. It comes with an app that pretty much offers the same functionality as other apps, giving the user the ability to initiate cleaning, command it to recharge, set cleaning schedules, and more. The G30 is a quiet worker. It will do its job efficiently without bothering the people in the room. Experts agree that this vacuum is a good choice with an attractive price.
We ranked Roborock S4 Max #11 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI #12 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Business Insider
The best robot vacuum with a mop
|
Pros
Excellent Performance On Carpeting And Hardwood
Automatically Empties the Dustbin
HD Video Surveillance,
Impressive Deep-cleaning Mop Attachment
Quiet Operation
|
Cons
Got Stuck On the Threshold In Our Tests
Doesn't Get Deep Into Corners
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba 675 #13 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Modern Castle
Best Budget Robot Vacuum
|
Pros
Great cleaning performance
Includes wifi connectivity for remote control
Value-priced which puts this model in-budget for many people
|
Cons
No on-board camera for advanced navigation or zoned cleaning cycles
Doesn’t have Recharge & Resume
|
We ranked Roomba i7 Plus #14 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked Yeedi K650 #15 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Rtings.com
Alternative with a Bigger Dirt Compartment
|
Pros
Good build quality.
Fantastic battery life.
|
Cons
Demanding maintenance needs and high recurring costs.
Sometimes bumps into obstacles.
Struggles with fine debris like baking soda.
|
We ranked Roborock S6 MaxV #16 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Good Housekeeping
Best Robot Vacuum for Object Detection
|
Pros
Ability to dry vacuum then wet mop
“Pet mode” helps avoid pet mess
|
Cons
Objects on dark colored floors are not always recognized and avoided
Setting a no-mop zone around an area rug is not always successful
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba i3 #17 in October 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
