I resisted robot vacuums for decades - these three models made me a convert

It took a while for me to be won over by robot vacuums, but alas, I am now a proper convert. Far more than a gadget for cleaning geeks, the best robot vacuums take care of the daily grind with confidence, coercing dust out of tricky corners, reaching under radiators and sofas, and even mopping floors until they sparkle. Not every model is made equally, however, and after extensive testing there are only three I believe truly deserve the title of “best robot vacuum” and I’ll explain exactly why below.

Robot vacuums have long promised effort-free upkeep, though I once dismissed them as a passing fad. Today’s designs are another story entirely. With lasers, AI navigation, and advanced mopping technology, they’ve become polished rivals to the best vacuums on the market. Think of them as the easy way to get rid of dust: diligently patrolling your floors, tackling targeted areas, and keeping your home consistently guest-ready without demanding your attention.

I’ve tested far more robot vacuums than appear in this guide (as you’ll know if you’ve read what i wish i knew before buying a robot vacuum), but only three convinced me I could finally stop keeping my cordless waiting in the wings for the weekly clean. And, not one to gatekeep, I’m sharing the standout trio with you, so you can invest with confidence. Happy hands-off cleaning.

The three best robot vacuums - as reviewed by our experts

Best robot vacuum overall

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It won't surprise you to see Shark crowned at the top of this list. Famous for their value, quality, and performance, I have to commend them on the impressive feat that is the Shark ThermaCharged PowerDetect Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum. This is the model that finally convinced me that robot vacuums were essential gadgets and not just gimmicks.

Price wise, it sits between the Eufy and Dyson: it's not as expensive as the Dyson, but still looks like the sort of money you'd need to carefully consider before spending. Having lived with this for weeks, I can attest to the solid build quality, excellent cleaning capacity, and useful mop function. It covers your daily cleans with competence - and then some.

The app lets you set schedules, control the Shark ThermaCharged PowerDetect Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum's movements, and choose where you want different mopping and cleaning to take place. You can also enable voice commands via Alexa or Google Home, so that the Shark really becomes more than your home assistant.

When finished, the Shark empties itself into a bagged base station, so you only need to think about it once a month. That makes it perfect for busy families and professionals as well as those who suffer from allergies. Most other robot vacuums collect the dust, but they don't seal it like the Shark does. Team that with the fragrance canister that you insert and you'll never have to suffer a bin or vacuum cleaner smell again. If you can't already tell, I'm smitten with Shark.

You can find out more in my full Shark ThermaCharged Wet & Dry Robot Vacuum Cleaner review.

Best premium robot vacuum

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A brand-new launch from Dyson, the Spot+Scrub AI Robot Vacuum Cleaner has rethought the way that all other robot vacuums work. The main point of difference is the sensors that it uses. Not only do these let it map with impressive speed and precision; navigate through the tightest spaces; and hop over difficult thresholds, the laser sensors also help it to identify dirt. In practice, this means that it can target specific areas that have debris and stains in your home to get it looking and feeling clean much quicker than any other model. If there's a stain on the floor that needs the mop, it will keep cleaning the spot until its clever sensors decide that the jam, soy sauce, or other sticky mess has been lifted. If it hasn't, it's highly likely you have a stain on your hands.

Whilst this is one of the most expensive models on the market, it warrants the price tag. The Dyson Spot+Scrub AI Robot Vacuum Cleaner looks sleek, feels robust, and cleans with a different level of thoroughness. A good example is the mop: unlike other models which use a damp pad that smears dirt, this has a roller which self-cleans using hot water, meaning you're always getting a fresh mop on the floor. It whizzed through even my toughest mopping tests.

On a techy note, I found the app easy to connect to and even easier to use. This is often a stumbling point for these clever gadgets: they get too clever for their own good. However, Dyson keeps things simple. Where other vacuums have pages and tabs and special controls, the Dyson gives you details, but in a simple format. It mapped and displayed my awkwardly sized room in 12 minutes (keep in mind the Shark took over 2 hours to map the same space) and it quickly flashed up areas that needed special attention). It was nothing if not thorough and fast.

The Dyson Spot+Scrub AI Robot Vacuum Cleaner was almost silent as it buzzed around my house and we came to love it like another member of the family, especially because it did such an impressive job cleaning (nobody else in the family compares). Even on tough tests, such as picking up hair from carpets and getting dust out of the cracks in hardwood floors were tackled with effortlessness. The only reason you wouldn't buy this is because of the high price tag. It's a lot to spend.

You can find out more in my full Dyson Spot+Scrub AI Robot Vacuum Cleaner review.

Best budget robot vacuum

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Proving that an affordable robot vacuum needn’t be basic, the eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum is the best of both worlds: it’s as high-tech or low-tech as you need it to be. For example, it can be controlled using its app or Alexa and Google Assistant, with a weekly schedule for cleaning, or you can simply set it going using its remote control.

A slimline design means it can clean below furniture, while an impressively long runtime allows it to handle a large house without needing to return to its base to recharge. In terms of functionality, it has both vacuuming and mopping functions, which are set on the app, so you can make sure there are areas that get both sides of a wet and dry clean and then areas which just get a vacuum. Of the three vacuums on this list, I found the app to be the most fiddly to set up, but not enough that it would put me off from maximising on the extra features that you get with the eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum.

Its general performance was good: it could pick up dust and debris on hard floors and clean laminate floors efficiently. Even on tougher tests with medium-pile carpets, the eufy managed to lift both fine flour particles (designed to emulate dust) as well as museli, granola clusters, and hair. In many cases, the eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum needed a few passes to pick up all the flour and debris that I scattered, which means that you need to give it a little longer to do a thorough deep clean of the carpet in comparison to the Dyson and Shark, but if you save money with this model, it's worth it. The dust box is a reasonable capacity for the size of the machine, it slides out easily but can be a bit messy to shake out.

I always recommend the eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum to anyone who isn't sure how much they'll use their robot vacuum and they want to dip a tow into the water. Just make sure that you buy it on a saving: it's always discounted somewhere.

You can find out more in my full eufy X8 Pro Robot Vacuum review.

How to choose the best robot vacuum for you

How to choose the best robot vacuum for you

• Size and weight: while weight is less of an issue with robot vacuum cleaners – it’s more relevant if you’re carrying one upstairs or downstairs to clean another floor – most are relatively lightweight. The robot’s dimensions are often more pertinent, with slimline models able to scoot under furniture where chunky machines struggle to go. Charging stations can be more of a floor space hog – with many needing clearance either side, and to be set against a wall with a power supply nearby. Those with a self-emptying feature can be quite sizable, with, for example, the iRobot Roomba S9+’s charging station measuring 48cm tall and 31cm wide.
• Extra parts: many robot vacuums with come with a few spare parts so you can change them to keep it running efficiently. These include the side brushes, which may become easily bent, spare filters and for vacuums that also mop, disposable and reusable cloths. You may also find a tool for keeping the brush bar free from hair clumps.
• Emptying: robot vacuum dust boxes tend to be on the small side, with some holding less than 400ml of dirt. It’s advisable to empty them after every cleaning cycle to prevent poor pick-up performance. Those with self-emptying charging stations can accommodate much more, so may only need emptying once a month.
• Running time: one of the big pluses of robot vacuums is that most have a generous runtime on the lowest power settings. Should that not be sufficient, they’ll return to their charging station to power up with some continuing the job afterwards. However, if you have a large house or lots of carpet (which usually involves more power), look out for those with longer runtimes.
• Budget: robot vacuums can vary greatly in price, so think about which features are the most important to you. This will help determine how much you might need to spend. More affordable models start at less than £200 but will have limited functionality. For app control, budget at least £250, with high-tech models ranging from £400+.

How we tested the best robot vacuums

To help you find the best robot vacuum, our selection covers models at a range of price points, from a sub-£200 budget model to the more expensive high-tech vacuums. If you’re buying at this end of the market, it’s a good idea to look for vacuum cleaner deals before you buy.

Each robot vacuum has been assessed on its size/dimensions, weight and design, how easy it was to set up from the box and schedule, ease of maintenance and overall value for money. The more advanced robot vacuums require more attention initially for mapping so you can set exclusion zones but should be as fuss-free as possible afterwards, so we’ve factored this in too.

We’ve spent several hours testing the suction and brush power for each model: using both fine dust and larger debris on both hard and soft floors, cleaning in its standard mode or the lowest power level (where available) unless otherwise noted. While most robot vacuum cleaners are designed to tackle both hard floors and carpet, some have dedicated modes for soft flooring, which we’ve made use of where available.

You can find out more about how we test vacuums on our dedicated page.

FAQs

Are robot vacuums worth it?

Though most don’t provide the equivalent cleaning performance of a traditional vacuum cleaner, for little and often cleaning, robot vacs can be brilliant. As they can clean every day (and be programmed to run when you’re out and about), they’ll help to cut down the amount of time you spend vacuuming and the frequency. Some won’t reach the edges or tight corners of a room, so you may still need to whizz round with a crevice tool every so often, but most owners find that a robot vacuum will lighten the load considerably.

How long do robot vacuums last?

Just like any other vacuum cleaner, robot vacs need to be maintained, which means emptying them regularly, cleaning filters, making sure there’s no hair wrapped around side brushes and roller bars and replacing worn parts (eg brushes and filters). You may need to replace the battery every two to three years or if it’s not holding a charge long enough, and keep the base station clean and dust-free. Properly cared for, they should last anywhere up to five or six years. As with many products, the better the build quality, the longer it should last.

How often should you run a robot vacuum?

A robot vacuum’s cleaning schedule is mostly down to personal preference. Opting for a daily clean is a good way to keep on top of everyday dirt, especially if you’re a pet owner, with a more thorough clean manually when required. However, for pet-free homes, three or four times a week should suffice. Remember that their dust boxes tend to fill up quickly and only some will alert you when they’re full, so it’s a good idea to empty on a regular basis or you may notice a drop in cleaning performance.

Far from being gimmicks, these three models are the best robot vacuums money can buy. They each have something to offer and all promise to keep your home clean without you having to lift a finger. Even I, a robot vacuum sceptic, have been convinced by the likes of Dyson, Shark, and Eufy.