Let’s face it, for most of us cleaning is a miserable chore. Vacuuming around the house is the last thing we want to do after a hard day’s work. Luckily, we have now entered a new age of robotic vacuum cleaners that can automatically keep our carpets and floors clean while we sit back and relax. With added Wi-Fi capabilities, smartphone controls, and even Alexa functionality, we can literally set it and forget it.
We have done the research for you to find today’s best rated robot vacuums. As with all of our ratings, our robot vacuum reviews try to span a wide range of price points so that you can get something worth using no matter your budget. Keeping your floors clean and tidy has never been easier.
Top 5 Robot Vacuums 2018 – Quick Comparison
Here is a quick comparison table highlighting some of the top owner rated robotic vacuum cleaners worthy of consideration.
| Robot Vacuum | Wi-Fi | Alexa Integration | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILIFE A4s | No | No | $$ | |
| ECOVACS Deebot N79 | Yes | No | $$ | |
| iRobot Roomba 960 | Yes | Yes | $$$$$ | |
| Shark ION ROBOT 750 | Yes | Yes | $$$ | |
| Shark ION ROBOT 720 | No | No | $$$ |
Price Ranges
Being a newer technology, these machines are not going to be cheap. The prices of the vacuums to make our list generally range from $200 up to $700 (at the time of this review). With more capabilities constantly being added, the vacuum cleaners with smartphone and smart home functionality are going to be on the higher end of the price scale. These are not exactly budget friendly, but the convenience that these machines can deliver makes it well worth the price for many owners.
1. ILIFE A4s – Best Price To Performance Winner
This may not have all of the bells and whistles of some of the newer models but it is a solid performer at the lower end of the price spectrum. With strong suction and pretty quiet operation, the A4s from ILIFE is the perfect option for maintenance cleaning without breaking the bank.
This unit does not have Wi-Fi and it does not have Alexa integration. It can be programmed and operated with an included remote. It offers up to 140 minutes on a single charge on the normal setting and 120 minutes in Max mode.
The A4s is designed with a slim profile to make cleaning under furniture and tight spaces easier. It runs off of a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and it will dock itself automatically whenever the battery gets low. Charge time is impressive as well.
It cleans corners with 2 side brushes and it includes a main tangle free roller brush that does all of the heavy lifting. This vacuum performs best on hard surfaces and shorter carpet. It also comes with a decent sized dust bin that is rather easy to access and empty.
It also does not learn where it can and can’t go so you must warden off areas that you wish it to avoid. This is where the lack of smart functionality may limit it.
The vacuum can cover up to 2100 square feet on a single charge. It can also be programmed to take advantage of different area modes. You can fully customize how and where it operates.
PROS
- Price
- Suction and Cleaning Capability
- Great With Dog Hair
- Battery Life
- Easy To Use Remote
- Overall Value
CONS
- No Wi-Fi or Alexa Integration
- Does Not Map Your House
- No Ability To Warden Off Certain Areas
2. ECOVACS Deebot N79 – Smartphone Control On A Budget
While this model is not exactly cheap, it does offer a more affordable robot vacuum that gives you smartphone controls. The ECOVACS app is Android and Apple compatible and it lets you program and monitor the status of the N79.
The battery life is decent at around 100 minutes. The suction power is also a strong point as this unit can handle all types of debris and pet hair. It is best used on hard surfaces and low pile carpet. The brush roll is detachable and is designed to efficiently take care of dust and dirt. It has capable side brushes to handle all of those hard to reach corners and edges.
It has an array of sensors to keep it moving on the right track and to prevent it falling down stairs. Even though it does its best to navigate all obstacles it also comes with a soft bumper. It has the ability to dock itself when it is done or when the battery gets low.
As for performance, the reviews we have seen have been mostly glowing. This is quite a popular model so the sheer number of positive ratings made this an easy decision to include on our list of the top robot vacuums.
With that said, we have witnessed that users that did have minor or a major issue with their N79 received excellent customer service from the company. This is always an important factor when buying a newer technology product.
It claims to have a “HEPA-style” filtration system but it also points out that it is not an actual HEPA filter. This is something to keep in mind for those who need this in a vacuum cleaner.
PROS
- Smartphone Control With The ECOVACS App
- Price
- Overall Cleaning Performance
- Relatively Quiet
- Excellent Customer Support
CONS
- No Smart Home Integration (Alexa, Google Home)
- No Ability To Map Rooms
- Can Sometimes Have Trouble Finding Its Way Back Home
3. iRobot Roomba 960 – Smartphone & Smart Home Integration
This is one of the newer iRobot models that delivers a truly smart design. The Roomba 960 has all of the modern bells and whistles that include Alexa and Google Assistant integration and full control with your smartphone. This is a high-end robotic vacuum cleaner with a high-end price to match.
The cleaning performance has also been improved. This vacuum has “dirt detecting” sensors that enable it to spend more time in one spot when it senses high traffic areas that are dirtier than others. Improved suction also deliver 5X greater power over previous Roomba models.
The unit can clean continuously for around 75 minutes before it docks itself to be recharged. It has the ability to start cleaning again right where it left off. The 960 can also map the room and show you on the iRobot app which areas have already been cleaned.
The app has also been enhanced to let you take full control of your cleaning needs. You can schedule, program, check status and battery life, and see its progress in real time.
One of its primary features is the ability to control the Roomba 960 with your voice. You can ask Alexa or your Google Assistant to start, stop or dock the unit with a simple voice command.
Some owners also wished that it came with a larger dust/dirt bin. We also found a few instances where some users had trouble with the unit finding its way back to the docking station before it ran out of charge.
This unit, like most robotic vacuums, is best suited for hard surfaces and tight low pile carpets. It is going to struggle with deeper pile and shag carpets.
Besides its control and programming functions it also delivers terrific performance. Powerful suction makes it a great choice for those with pets. While its higher price is not ideal for every budget, it does deliver good value for owners. Even at this price point we have found it to be one of the best rated robot vacuums currently on the market.
PROS
- Alexa & Google Assistant Controls
- Enhanced App Controls & Programming
- Can Map Rooms
- Strong Cleaning Features & Performance
- Can Resume Where It Left Off After Recharging
- Great Around Edges
CONS
- Price
- Could Use A Larger Dust Bin
- Can Have Trouble Finding Its Way Home At Times
4. Shark ION ROBOT 750 – Mid-Range Option For Alexa
This is a great high-tech option with a mid-range price. This model has Wi-Fi connectivity as well as Alexa integration for the ultimate smart robot vacuum. It stands up well against more expensive models that offer similar features.
The ROBOT 750 lets you control and program the vacuum by connecting it to the Shark app. It does not have some of the extensive settings as some of the higher end models. It is simple to use, however. Along with the app you can also activate, stop, and dock the machine by voice commands with your Alexa device.
Owners give this model high marks for its cleaning performance. It does a very nice job with pet hair and debris. The roller brush self cleans and untangles long hairs and fibers that might wrap itself around it. The side brushes are also easy to remove. They simply snap off when you need to replace them. The dust bin is conveniently built for easy access.
For how powerful the suction is on this machine, it is also rather quiet. When compared to similar robotic vacuums, the noise level produced is on the lower end of the spectrum. This is another area where it gets a lot of praise from owners.
The app is also rather simple. It does not have the extensive settings and features of some of the more expensive smart vacuums.
This unit also comes with magnetic tape that you can use to warden off certain areas. You can create a virtual wall so the vacuum does not get stuck with obstacles like power cords or lower clearance furniture.
PROS
- Wi-Fi and Alexa Integration
- Price
- Cleaning Performance
- Quiet
- Comes With Magnetic Tape To Keep It From Stairs and Other Obstacles
CONS
- Wi-Fi Setup & Connectivity Can Be Spotty
- Basic App
- Doesn’t Map Rooms
5. Shark ION ROBOT 720 – Robot Vacuum Workhorse
This model has a lot of the same performance features as the 750 but it does not have the smart home or smartphone functionality. If you are looking to save a little then this is a very nice option.
Instead of using an app to control your vacuum the 720 comes with a simple to use remote. You can use it to operate and schedule the vacuum for a multitude of cleaning jobs.
The performance should be on par with its smart cousin, the 750. It has the same smart sensors to navigate your home, untangle technology on its cleaning brush, easy access dust bin, and low profile design. At its slightly lower price point it gets a little higher scores from owners for its cleaning ability and overall value.
While it does do a very nice job on hard floors, its performance on carpet can be lacking. This mostly has to do with longer pile carpet. Some reviews we came across pointed to this issue.
This model also comes with magnetic tape that you can use to create zones for the vacuum to avoid. This is great for under desks with tons of cables or certain furniture with low clearance.
PROS
- Cleaning Performance
- Quiet Operation
- Simple Remote
- Low Profile
- Price To Performance Ratio
CONS
- No Wi-Fi or Alexa Connectivity
- No Set Cleaning Pattern
- Struggles on Heavy Carpet
Robot Vacuum Buying Guide
When looking for the right robotic vacuum for your home it is important to know what to expect. The first thing is that for those looking to use this type of machine on carpet it will probably not replace your regular vacuum cleaner. It will however, let you use your upright or canister vacuum less often. It is great for maintenance and for picking up pet hair and larger objects on a more frequent basis.
For harder surfaces robot vacuums may offer you the ability to ditch your full sized vacuum altogether. Robotic cleaners do best on tile, hardwood floors, and low carpet.
Features
The next step in determining which robot vacuum is best for your situation is learning about the different features available. Once you know exactly what to look for you can then zero in and find the perfect model for your needs.
Smartphone Control
The latest generation of robotic cleaners now come with Wi-Fi connectivity. This will allow you to control your vacuum with your smartphone. The higher end models will also give you added features and settings like programming and scheduling, checking current status, see which areas of the room it has already cleaned and choosing between different cleaning modes.
Wi-Fi connectivity offers the ultimate control. Since this is a newer technology it is also getting constantly updated. This is a nice bonus in the long run.
Smart Home Integration
This is one area that is seeing greater adoption. With more and more homes using an Alexa or Google Home device, being able to control your vacuum cleaner with a voice command is now a reality. Since it is so new this is one thing that is currently available on the more expensive models. Hopefully over time this is something that will show up on more budget friendly options.
Navigation
All of these types of vacuums make use of sensors to help navigate around your home. Some of them are better than others. While some machines can completely miss certain obstacles, some will bump into objects more often.
You will more than likely have to pick up around the house before letting your new vacuum on the loose. Stuff like socks, toys, or pillows are good things to get out of the way before cleaning. While some models do come with magnetic tape that let you warden off certain areas, it is best to remove larger objects beforehand.
HEPA Filtration
For those with allergies this can be a deal breaker. While there are some machines out there that have true HEPA filters incorporated, not all do. Some come with “HEPA style” filters which is not the same thing. If you need true HEPA filters there are some after market options that are made to fit a wide variety of the more popular models currently on the market.
Roller Brushes & Edge Cleaning
Where some models are able to differentiate themselves is the quality and design of their roller brush. Some are basic and fight hair and fibers getting tangled and wrapped around them. Others come with better functionality and are able to resist tangles and undo them completely during operation. This will also impact the vacuums overall cleaning performance.
Just about every model out there has rotating side brushes that handle cleaning around edges. Some of these are better than others, especially when it comes to changing them out.
Docking And Recharging
This is another important area to consider before making a purchase. Most of the units can dock themselves when their battery starts to get low. However, some models do a better job at this than others. This can be a pain if you are constantly having to return your unit to the docking station. Our robot vacuum reviews try to include units that do well in this area, but it is still an issue from time to time.
Battery Life
If you have multiple rooms that you want your robot vacuum to clean then getting a unit with a robust battery is a must. Typical cleaning times range from 1 to just over 2 hours. The size of your home and how much cleaning you need to get done will be influenced by the battery life of your machine.
Cleaning Your Vacuum
For optimal operation it is a good idea to clean your robot vacuum from time to time. Checking the roller brush, wiping the outside sensors, emptying the dust bin, and changing or cleaning the filters are things that shouldn’t be neglected. Taking care of your vacuum will ensure that it functions efficiently and with less issues.
The future is here. A robotic vacuum that you can simply set and forget is a great luxury for any type of home. The technology has truly advanced over the years and the power and performance of today’s machines now matches the convenience. Smart home and smartphone integration also makes being a techie who hates to clean a lot easier.