How to Find the Best Budget Robot Vacuum
A bargain-priced robot vacuum can be a great value. Beware of the maintenance costs that might be higher than expected: tangles in brushes, air inlets that are blocked and emptied dust bins will quickly make your automatic cleaning dream into a burden.
The iRobot j7 Combo is the most affordable robot for a variety of users. It delivers almost the same hands-off experience for a fraction of the price.
Suction Power
Some models in this category offer enough suction for basic vacuuming. Others may need a handheld nozzle for deep cleaning. If you live in a house that has mostly hard flooring and a low-cost robot vacuum is likely to suffice. However, if your floors are an assortment of surfaces and you also have carpets, or have pets who shed, a better model will provide the best results for the price.
A few budget models include mopping and a water tank capability, adding to their versatility. The newer Dyson R7050C for instance, has very good navigation scores in CR's tests and a large 770ml bin, but it is louder than many of the other robots we've tested, and does not have mopping capabilities. The more compact Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro, by contrast, is relatively quiet and has an auto-empty dock. It also comes with an water tank, powerful suction power of 5,500pascals and a large bin that you can fill with cleaning solution to make it an effective mopping machine. The Q5 Pro can be controlled via the smart app, that lets you mop or vacuum a space or a sequence of rooms or an entire space. You can also set up no-go zones, and customise suction settings for each room.
The budget Shark ION is a great option for those who want something simple, affordable and reliable. It's not as sophisticated as other models, with a basic app and no-frills mapping capabilities, but has superior cleaning and navigation capabilities. It's also among few robots that discern between carpets and hard flooring. The 300ml dustbin only emptied once every 30 days.
Take a look at some of the top models within this price range If you're looking for something more sophisticated that can vacuum, mop, and create maps for more effective obstacle-avoiding. The iRobot Roomba 650/750 has a powerful suction, a clever comb to get rid of pet hair and dust, and it can be controlled via your smart home assistant. The Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 is another option that has superior cleaning performance for the money.
Navigation Efficiency
A robot vacuum cleaner that is budget-friendly can be as effective as more expensive models, so long as it is able to navigate through your home and avoid obstacles. To measure the effectiveness of navigation our lab technicians installed a tracking device to monitor a robot's movements through a multiroom test house and assess its ability to locate the areas it has to clean in a given time, while avoiding obstacles like rug power cords, power cords and furniture. We also look at how fast a robot can move through different terrains of the home, like stairs and floor transitions.
The best budget robot vacuums feature effective navigation systems that can help them clean a room without wasting time, running into obstacles, or getting stuck. Most feature mapping capabilities, which are crucial for a complete house cleaning. However, even budget models with no mapping can effectively cover a space and it's crucial to balance cost with the features you require for your home.
We also consider the ease with which robots can cross over thresholds in the home, such as the heights of a door's sill or a sofa. A budget-friendly robot should be able to negotiate these obstacles, and some come with settings that alter the suction power according to the type of floor. We also look at whether the robot is compatible with smart home technology and is able to be controlled remotely through an app or voice commands.
One excellent budget robot is the iLife V3s Pro, which includes basic mapping capabilities and other smart features in an extremely affordable package. It can be controlled by the iRobot App and has an auto return feature that allows you to return the robot to its base when the battery is low and then picks up where it began.
The iLife V3s Pro doesn't have the advanced object avoidance features found on many premium robots, but it has a live camera that transmits an unreliable video feed to your smartphone so that you can keep an eye on it while it is working. The cameras are also able to detect obstacles like stairs and other steps and elicit an alert if the robot encounters them. The iLife is a different model, however, it uses random navigation instead of a method specifically designed to avoid objects that are stuck against furniture legs. It may not be able to maneuver through a tight space or a leg of a chair as a robotic system with the ability to map.
Cleaning Performance
When shopping for a robotic vacuum, you must consider the cost and performance. The cheapest models might not have advanced features like mapping, but they can still do an excellent job of cleaning your home. Pay attention to the size and capacity of the robot's dustbin. It is essential to have enough space to accommodate all the trash a robot collects including pet dander, dirt and hair.
You'll also require a robotic vacuum that removes the stains that carpets have. We test all models in the ZDNET robot vacuum chart to determine their ability to remove dirt and hair off carpet, and the best ones have a special brush that can dig into the carpet fibers and remove debris.
The majority of budget models are successful at picking up messes on carpets that are not paved or carpets with low piles However, they struggle to get rid of larger pieces of pet hair and debris from higher-pile carpets. These models tend to have less suction however, they can be effective in cleaning particles from tight spaces such as corners and under furniture.
The iLife V3s Pro is the most affordable model for vacuuming with high marks in our tests because of its ability to lift dirt and hair off carpets. It's also among the quieter models we test and is easy to use. It features a suction opening that collects debris instead of pushing it through the brush bar. It can also adjust the power to match the surface. It has a sidebrush with three bristles to push hair and debris into the path of the robot. However, it is not as effective at picking fine dust.
Find a model that has both vacuum and mop functions, like the Combo j9 Plus. This robot can mop and vacuum simultaneously and you can alter the settings for each room. It's more expensive compared to other budget robot vacs in our list however it comes with the advantages of a forward-facing camera that allows more precise mapping and better obstacles to avoid for things like power cords and cat piss.
Maintenance
Robot vacuums are convenient, but they come at costs. They require regular maintenance, from emptying their dustbin to replacing filters and cleaning the brush bar. They can also get tangled in cords or drop off the stairs, which is why they must be watched with care.
The best budget robot vacuum s ease these problems by requiring minimal management from the user. The top models come with navigation systems that avoid objects and are free of hazards, such as strangling electrical cords and dropping food. Sensors are used to map rooms and create maps that tell them where they have already cleaned.
Don't let the cost of the more expensive models deter you from buying. They are still able to do a fantastic job if given a chance. Our top budget picks are from leading OEMs like iRobot Roborock Dreame. You can be sure that they've been designed with attention to detail and are built to last.
If you're willing to spend more, think about investing in mopping with a robot. They can use a moist cloth over floors to scrub them and help eliminate stubborn stains, and can be used with a specialized mop pad to tackle tough jobs such as dried coffee.
There are several mopping robots featured in our list, but the best budget model is the TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus. It has the sleek and uncluttered appearance of a home hub, but the features and performance of a top robovac with LiDAR navigation. During our tests the RV30 was able to navigate without crashing into furniture, and also create detailed maps of its floorplan that it can use for future runs. This is the only budget robot that we tested with this feature. iRobot Roomba also has mapping capabilities, but the app's setup guides you through the entire procedure.
Be sure to maintain your robot, whether you choose a costly robovac or one that is more affordable. You should empty the dustbin and clean the filter after every cleaning session (refer to your owner's guide or the website of the manufacturer for more information). It is also recommended to replace its battery as needed and keep track of its Wi-Fi connectivity and app updates.