January 2022
Robotic Vacuums: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Robotic Vacuum rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2022.
At a glance - January 2022 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Robotic Vacuum |
The Strategist
|
HGTV
|
Business Insider
|
Wirecutter
|
Modern Castle
|
WIRED
|
Rtings.com
|
Consumer Reports
|
Good Housekeeping
|
PCMag
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
+1 | $399 |
iRobot Roomba i3 Plus
Best self-emptying vacuum for general cleaning
|
6
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
11
|
|
2
|
-1 | $845 |
iRobot Roomba s9+
The best smart vacuum that takes care of itself
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
1
|
5
|
|
3
|
- | $160 |
Eufy RoboVac 11S
The most affordable robotic vacuum that’s perfect for spaces with low furniture
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
New * | $599 |
iRobot Roomba j7 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
|
5
|
- | $180 |
Eufy RoboVac 15C Max
|
13
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $380 |
Roborock S4 Max
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
-3 | $220 |
Roborock E4
One of the more affordable robotic vacuums available that's actually decent
|
9
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $690 |
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
9
|
- | $179 |
iRobot Roomba 694
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
- | $299 |
iRobot Roomba i3
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
- | $230 |
Eufy RoboVac G30
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
|
12
|
-5 | $300 |
iRobot Roomba e5
A good robotic vacuum that may not have all the usual features, but performs well where it matters
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
New * | $750 |
Roomba i7 Plus
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
-1 | $260 |
iRobot Roomba 675
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
-1 | $400 |
Bissell SpinWave Robot Vac
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
16
|
New * | $650 |
Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
-2 | $329 |
Wyze Robot Vacuum
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
|
18
|
- | Check price |
Neato Botvac D4
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba i3 Plus #1 in January 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts 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 overall
|
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
|
PCMag
An Affordable Self-Emptying Roomba
|
Pros
Self-emptying dustbin
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Supports IFTTT and scheduling
Detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas
|
Cons
Lacks smart mapping
Average battery life
Can be loud
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba s9+ #2 in January 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 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.
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
|
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
|
PCMag
Best For Deep Hands-Off Cleaning
|
Pros
Self-emptying dustbin.
Ultra-powerful suction.
Smart navigation.
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
|
Cons
Expensive.
Loud.
Mediocre battery life.
|
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 January 2022 ranking
The Strategist
HGTV
Business Insider
Wirecutter
Modern Castle
WIRED
Rtings.com
Consumer Reports
Good Housekeeping
PCMag
We ranked Eufy RoboVac 11S #3 in January 2022 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.
We ranked iRobot Roomba j7 Plus #4 in January 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iRobot Roomba j7 Plus as #1.
PCMag
Promises to Avoid Pet Poo / Editor's Choice
|
Pros
Pet waste-avoidance guarantee
Auto-empty base
Intelligently suggests Keep-Out Zones
Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Allows for scheduled area cleanings
Rarely gets stuck
User-friendly companion app
|
Cons
Expensive
Unimpressive battery life
|
We ranked Eufy RoboVac 15C Max #5 in January 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Roborock S4 Max #6 in January 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked Roborock E4 #7 in January 2022 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
Alternative with a larger dustbin
|
Pros
Outstanding performance on bare floors.
Very good build quality.
Great maneuverability.
Remarkable battery life.
|
Cons
Many maintenance needs.
High recurring costs.
|
We ranked Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI #8 in January 2022 because:
- 3 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
|
PCMag
Best for Avoiding Obstacles
|
Pros
Automatically recognizes and avoids obstacles
Exceptional battery life
Allows for remote home monitoring with built-in camera
Supports virtual boundaries
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice support
|
Cons
Expensive
Mops with water, not cleaning solution
Moderate learning curve
Auto-Empty Station is sold separately
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba 694 #9 in January 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked iRobot Roomba i3 #10 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iRobot Roomba i3 as #1.
We ranked Eufy RoboVac G30 #11 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Eufy RoboVac G30 as #1.
PCMag
Good for Maneuvering Small Spaces
|
Pros
Compact, low-profile design
Strong suction power for its size
Well-designed app
Easy to set up and use
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Features smart navigation for systematic cleaning
|
Cons
Doesn’t support strips or virtual boundaries
Battery life is on the short side
|
We ranked iRobot Roomba e5 #12 in January 2022 because:
- 2 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
Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet
|
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 Roomba i7 Plus #13 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked iRobot Roomba 675 #14 in January 2022 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 Bissell SpinWave Robot Vac #15 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Business Insider
Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair
|
Pros
Excellent Job on Hardwood and Corners
Picked Up All of the Pet Hair in Our Tests
Great Mop Attachment and Accessories
App Connectivity
Small Size
Quiet Operation
|
Cons
Can't Set Up No-Go Zones
Gets Stuck Easily
|
PCMag
A Hybrid Model That Excels at Mopping
|
Pros
Mops and vacuums
Works with cleaning solution
Automatically avoids carpet when mopping
Quiet
|
Cons
No mapping features or voice control
Robot got stuck on some furniture in testing
|
We ranked Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid #16 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
We ranked Wyze Robot Vacuum #17 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
Rtings.com
Best Budget Robot Vacuum
|
Pros
Great build quality.
Excellent battery life.
Great automation features
|
Cons
Small dirt compartment.
High recurring costs.
|
PCMag
Affordable Laser-Powered Mapping
|
Pros
Strong suction power
Features laser mapping technology
Supports app control, area cleaning, scheduling, and virtual walls
HEPA filter
|
Cons
No voice command support
Relatively short battery life
Occasionally gets stuck
|
We ranked Neato Botvac D4 #18 in January 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Robotic Vacuums” rankings.
PCMag
A Standout Midrange Model With Mapping
|
Pros
Excellent laser navigation.
Supports cleaning maps.
Virtual No-Go boundary lines.
Smart charging.
Alexa and Google Assistant compatible.
Integrates with IFTTT and the Apple Watch.
|
Cons
Battery life could be longer.
Loud.
|