The buyer's guide
Robot Vacuums
Reviewed by
Dr. Yocheved Yorkovsky · Science Editor, Health, Chemistry & Environment
The cheapest self-emptying robot cleans about as well as the $1,600 flagship — the premium buys navigation and a hands-off dock, not a cleaner floor.
Choosing a robot vacuum really comes down to five questions. What are your floors — carpet rewards raw suction, while hard floors are where mopping earns its place? Do you have pets, where a self-emptying dock and an anti-tangle brush keep hair from becoming a daily chore? How much clutter does it navigate, which decides whether you need premium obstacle avoidance or can pre-tidy and save? Do you actually want it to mop, or would a cheaper, stronger vacuum-only model serve you better? And what's your budget — capable robots now run from about $250 to $1,600, and that gap buys navigation, mopping depth, and a hands-off dock far more than it buys cleaner carpet. Our picks below span the whole range, and the quiz matches those five answers to the right one for your home.
7 questions · about a minute
