What is the best robot vacuum right now?
Our pick for the best robot vacuum overall is the iRobot Roomba j7+, thanks to its self-emptying capabilities, ability to move across carpet, tile, and hardwood floors, and its easy-to-use app. It’s also often discounted, simply because it’s not the newest Roomba model, so you can expect its price to fall considerably around sales events. It’s the robot we go back to repeatedly after testing others.
The best robot vacuums of 2025
| Choose this robot vacuum… | If you need… |
|---|---|
| Roomba j7+ | A highly intelligent, AI-driven vacuum. With its ability to recognize up to 80 household objects, your home will get cleaned while your cords and shoes aren’t bothered. |
| Dreame X40 Ultra | One robot to vacuum every surface type in your home while mopping hardwood/tile/laminate flooring. It’s truly an all-in-one machine that will keep your home clean with the touch of a button in the app. |
| Narwal Freo X Ultra | An affordable robot vacuum that performs like a high-end unit on hard floors, with up to 7 weeks between emptying. |
| Yeedi M12 Pro+ | You want the top-of-the-line in terms of self-cleaning technology, efficiency, and pure power. |
| Roomba s9+ | A vacuum to tackle excessive pet hair, dirt, and debris. It’s Roomba’s best suctioning robot on the market. |
| Shark ION AV751 | A simple robot vacuum without all of the bells and whistles. This can be a more manageable option for individuals who don’t need a lot of technology in their robot vacuum. |
What to consider when choosing a robot vacuum
- Floor types: Some robot vacuums are equipped to work with certain floor types, like carpet or hardwood. Others may be able to accommodate other floor types, like stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the types of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.
- Mapping: For full automation, your robot vacuum must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. You also want to consider an obstacle avoidance feature that can avoid things like furniture, wires, and even pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home with kids and pets.
- Battery: A robot vacuum is hardly worth it if it doesn’t have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot vacuum to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot vacuum with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list.
- Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuums offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, set schedules, track progress, and control the machine’s efforts. If you’re hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice.
How we test robot vacuums
ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers who have tested over 50 units thus far. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.
Here’s what we consider when testing robot vacuums at ZDNET:
- Determine evaluation criteria: For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot’s versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.
- Unboxing: During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.
- Testing environments: We test the robot vacuums on different floor types and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.
- Performance metrics: We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.
- Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.
Conclusion
After spending the last two years testing numerous robot vacuums, the one feature that distinguishes them the most is their intelligence. Some individuals are looking for a hands-off approach. They want to set a schedule in the app and not have to worry or think about the robot for weeks at a time. Others may not be that comfortable with tech or want to have more control of where and when the robot is running. Both are reasonable expectations, but you’ll be buying two different vacuums.
FAQs
Q: What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair?
A: The Roomba s9+ is a great option for tackling excessive pet hair, dirt, and debris.
Q: What is the best robot vacuum for hard floors?
A: The Narwal Freo X Ultra is an affordable option that performs like a high-end unit on hard floors, with up to 7 weeks between emptying.
Q: What is the best robot vacuum for carpets?
A: The Roomba j7+ is a highly intelligent, AI-driven vacuum that can recognize up to 80 household objects and is great for cleaning carpets.
Q: How do I choose the right robot vacuum for my home?
A: Consider the types of flooring in your home, the size of your home, and your budget when choosing the best robot vacuum for your needs.
