Here at PCMag, we review a wide range of technology, including robot vacuums. We put these suckers to the test with the same rigor as any laptop, speaker, or TV that enters PC Labs. And, of course, we test them IRL around the home. We consider value, performance, user experience, navigation, suction power, and more. As the PCMag Deals Team, we’re here to help you navigate the buying process and find the best products at the best prices.
BEST ROBOT VACUUM DEALS RIGHT NOW
If you’re new to the world of robot vacuums or looking to upgrade from an old model, you’ll be happy to know these devices are a lot better than when they first entered our homes more than a decade ago. Many now have onboard mapping technology utilizing LiDAR and video inputs to recognize obstacles accurately and draw routes. So no more falling down the stairs or getting caught in tight corners.
Your decisions will mostly come down to whether you want a self-emptying vacuum, one that doubles as a mop, or one that works with a particular app or smart home service. You’ll also need to decide on your budget because robot vacuums can get expensive. So let’s head into the holidays with clean homes that are ready for hosting.
Best Value
Eufy RoboVac 11S Max Robot Vacuum
$139.99
at Amazon
$199.99
Save $60.00
Like most similarly priced machines, this Eufy RoboVac 11S Max has sensors that recognize what type of floor you have and will adjust suction power accordingly. This robot vacuum is small but mighty, measuring only 2.85 inches tall and offering up to 100 minutes of power. An infrared sensor makes it so that it even avoids collision with obstacles as well as drops, so you can literally just set it and forget it. We gave its predecessor an excellent rating for its affordability and strong performance, and the Max model builds on that solid base. You can save 30% right now and dip your toes into the world of robot vacuums with this affordable and effective model.
Best 2-in-1
Roborock Q8 Max 5500Pa Robot Vacuum and Mop
$179.99
at Amazon
$259.99
Save $80.00
Thanks to a combined dustbin and water tank, the Roborock Q8 Max can mop and vacuum simultaneously, tackling those hard-to-clean messes. Dual rubber roller brushes excel at picking up hair and removing dirt from soft surfaces, such as carpet, providing your floors with a deep clean, even if you’re a pet owner. Like most robot vacuums, the Roborock Q8 Max maps out your home to navigate intelligently, but it also suggests no-go zones so that you’re not constantly having to rescue it when it gets stuck in hard-to-reach areas. If all of that sounds good, you’ll love that it’s discounted by 31% right now, making it a good time to buy.
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Recommended by Our Editors
Best For Pet Owners
Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base
$299.99
at Amazon
$599.00
Save $299.01
The Shark AV2511AE AI robot vacuum cleans in a matrix grid and takes multiple passes over messes to ensure no spots are missed. 360-degree LiDAR vision creates a precise map of your home, and it also intuitively detects and avoids objects so you can simply set your robot vacuum’s schedule in the Shark app and forget about it. The bagless XL self-empty base can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris, depending on the amount it collects during its operation, and traps 99.97% of dust and allergens thanks to its HEPA filtration. Powerful suction coupled with a self-cleaning brush roll makes this device suitable for pet owners. Pick up this robot vacuum at a steep 50% discount today.
Best Premium Hybrid Cleaner
4.0
Excellent
What Our Ratings Mean
- 5.0 – Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 – Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 – Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 – Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 – Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 – Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 – Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 – Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 – Dismal: Don’t even think about buying this product
Read Our
Editorial Mission Statement
and
Testing Methodologies.
Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop
$944.99
at Amazon
$1,299.99
Save $355.00
The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is a two-in-one vacuum and mop that features a base station that washes and dries the mop, as well as keeps the robot’s water and detergent levels topped off. The X9 Pro Omni received an excellent rating from our expert due to skillful avoidance of obstacles, exceptional vacuum performance, and a side brush and mop that extend into corners. The Blast (or boosted large-airflow suction technology) system features 16,600 Pascals (Pa) of suction power, which, when combined with a 16.3L/s airflow rate, enables deep cleaning on both carpets and hard floors. “The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is a feature-rich robot vacuum and mop hybrid that performs both of its main tasks well,” according to our expert, and you can grab it on sale for $355 off for a limited time.
More Robot Vacuum Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Hi, I’m Andrew Gebhart, PCMag’s senior analyst covering smart home devices, and I’m here to answer the most common questions about finding a good deal on a robot vacuum. Read my answers below and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
Which Robot Vacuum Is the Most Reliable?
Most robot vacuums are reliable when it comes to getting rid of standard household detritus, but iRobot’s Roomba j9+ is easy to use and has strong suction power to get the job done. It also intelligently spots and avoids obstacles of all shapes and sizes, and iRobot guarantees that it won’t run over pet waste.
What Is the No. 1 Robot Vacuum?
If you need a do-it-all robot floor cleaner, our pick for the best overall vacuum and mop hybrid is the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni. It features an impressive 18,000Pa of suction power, a unique roller mop that cleans itself as it works, and a base station that thoroughly maintains the robot. It’s not cheap, though. The 2-in-1 TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus is our Editors’ Choice among budget-friendly models.
Is There a Robot Vacuum Better Than the Roomba?
Our top-rated robot vacuum picks include several brands beyond iRobot’s Roomba, such as Dreame, Ecovacs, Eufy, Roborock, Shark, SwitchBot, and TP-Link.
How Do We Test Robot Vacuums?
We test robot vacuums in our homes, evaluating them on criteria such as battery life, design, ease of setup and use, navigation, obstacle avoidance, suction power, and real-world cleaning performance. That way, we can truly determine which vacuums are worth your time and which ones, well, suck. For all the details on our rigorous real-world cleaning performance tests, check out How We Test Robot Vacuums (and mops).
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Robot Vacuum?
Sales holidays like Black Friday and Prime Day can pay big dividends for this category. During these events, you’ll often find sales on models in every price range and from every brand, and with significant discounts as well. In general, look for discounts greater than 30%, as you can typically find smaller markdowns at any time of year. Most importantly, check out our individual product reviews and regularly updated list of the best robot vacuums to ensure the model you’re considering is worth the money.
Which Brands Offer the Best Discounts on Robot Vacuums?
Every major brand offers significant discounts on its robot vacuums at some point. If you’re looking for a discounted model from one brand in particular, keep checking this list.
About Our Expert
Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
Read Full Bio
