If you shudder at the thought of pulling your vacuum out of the closet, a robot vacuum could be the perfect solution to your cleaning woes. After the setup process, they clean your space automatically without any added labor on your part.
We spoke with cleaning and electronics experts to learn more about robot vacuums — their features and their flaws as well as the top brands to shop. We combined their recommendations with our staff picks to pick the best robot vacuums on the market.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best robot vacuums | The best robot vacuums in 2025 | How to shop for a robot vacuum
How we picked the best robot vacuums
To pick the best robot vacuums, we considered expert and staff recommendations alongside top-rated models from notable brands. We also paid special attention to the following details for each product:
- Mapping and detection: We prefer models with automatic floor mapping and object detection, as these are generally more hands-off than models without these features.
- Capacity: We only selected models with a dustbin capacity of at least 350 milliliters or those with an included self-emptying base station to compensate.
- Price: Features like heated mopping and smart obstacle detection are nice to have, but drive the price of a robot vacuum up. We selected models across a range of price points, with and without features like smart home mapping and self-emptying base stations.
Related
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
The best robot vacuums in 2025
Our top picks came from a wide variety of cleaning brands, including Eufy, Roborock, iRobot and Shark. We listed key specifications we think you should know about below each recommendation.
Best overall: Eufy X10 Pro Omni
- Feature-rich robot and station
- Long battery life
- Mapping and navigation
- Nothing at this time
If you want a robot vacuum that can do a little bit of everything, this model from Eufy is a great option. It comes with a robot that can vacuum and mop plus a base-station where the robot can automatically empty debris, empty dirty water, fill up with fresh water, dry mop pads and recharge its battery. The Eufy X10 Pro Omni also has automatic obstacle avoidance and room mapping. You can also set up customized cleaning routines, no-go zones and more through the Eufy app.
Type: vacuum & mop | Capacity: 330ml robot, 2500ml base station | Mapping: yes | No-go zones: yes | Obstacle avoidance: yes | Run time: up to 170 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: yes, with included base station
Best budget: Roborock Q5 Pro
- Great value for features
- Large dustbin capacity
- Long battery life
- No obstacle avoidance
This competitively-priced model from Roborock has a ton of convenient features while still having a reasonable price tag. It can intelligently map your home (even multiple floors) all on its own. Through the app, you can set up no-go zones, scheduled cleanings, custom routines and more.
It’s also a good fit for larger homes, as it has a large dust bin capacity (770 milliliters) and a long battery life (four hours). It can also handle multiple floor types, including hardwood and carpets.
If you want an even more hands-off version, consider the Roborock Q5 Pro+, which is largely the same robot vacuum, just with a bundled auto-emptying base station.
Type: vacuum & mop | Capacity: 770ml | Mapping: yes | No-go zones: yes | Obstacle avoidance: no | Run time: up to 240 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: no
Best cheap: iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
- Competitive price
- Decent capacity
- No mapping or obstacle detect
This option from iRobot is basic, but is usually priced very competitively, especially when it’s on sale. It is low-profile at about 3.15 inches high, meaning it can maneuver easily under most furniture. While it does not have advanced navigation and mapping features, it can still navigate around furniture and avoid stairs, according to the brand.
Similar to other Roomba models, you can use the app to schedule cleanings, receive notifications, and control it through voice-connected smart home devices with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Type: vacuum | Capacity: 378ml | Mapping: no | No-go zones: no | Obstacle avoidance: no | Run time: up to 120 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: no
Staff Pick: Shark Matrix (AV2310AE)
- Competitive price
- Easy to use and control
- Smaller vacuum capacity
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses an older version of this model, the Shark IQ XL, to reduce the amount of cleaning she has to do in her small apartment. Setup is easy, with the vacuum navigating and mapping out her space on the first startup, says Godio.
The standout feature is the self-emptying and charging base station. The robot will go back to its base station whenever it’s full and empty debris into the base station’s larger canister. The base can hold up to 45 days worth of dirt and dust, but Godio empties it twice a month to be safe.
You can use the Shark Clean app to set up specific no-go zones, create a cleaning schedule and see the robot’s map of your space.
Type: vacuum | Capacity: 189ml robot, 1050ml base station | Mapping: yes | No-go zones: yes | Obstacle avoidance: yes | Run time: up to 180 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: yes, with included base station
Best splurge: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
- Advanced mapping features
- Robust base station
- Impressive cleaning
- Pricey
- Large docking station
If you want your robot vacuum to do it all, and do it all well, consider this high-end option from Roborock. It has two vacuum roller brushes that have higher suction force than most of the competition, and a sonic mopping system that vibrates the mop rapidly to scrub out stains.
It also has a large, robust base station that holds debris, dirty water, clean water, and recharging capabilities. It also cleans and dries the robot’s mop pads when it’s docked. Like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, this robot vacuum has a plethora of smart mapping, navigation and obstacle detection features and an app where you can customize everything to your liking.
Type: vacuum & mop | Capacity: 270ml robot, 2500ml base station | Mapping: yes | No-go zones: yes | Obstacle avoidance: yes | Run time: 180 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: yes, with included base station
Best vacuum-only: iRobot Roomba J9+
- Intelligent mapping
- Included base station
- Long battery life
- Pricey
Carl Prouty, the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer, recommends the more premium J9+ from Roomba — it has powerful suction and excellent room mapping.
The robot uses a built-in camera and AI to avoid unexpected obstacles, according to the brand. Like other models from Roomba, it automatically maps out your space during its first cycle. You can also use the app to set up no-go zones, which can help the robot focus on easy-to-clean areas within your space.
It has one corner sweeping brush and two long central rolling brushes underneath, which helps gather dust and crumbs. It comes with a self-emptying base station that holds up to 60 days worth of debris, according to the brand.
Type: vacuum | Capacity: 300ml robot, 2700ml base station | Mapping: yes | No-go zones: yes | Obstacle avoidance: yes | Run time: 180 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: yes, with included base station
Expert pick: Bissell SpinWave Pet Robot 2-in-1
- Low price
- Mops and vacuums
- Not the smartest navigator
Kathy Turley, the director of marketing at Home Clean Heroes, says this vacuum and mop combo robot is one of the best for hardwood floors. It comes with two tanks: one for vacuuming and one for mopping. To switch between vacuuming and mopping, you have to physically swap the tanks on the robot.
The mopping mode uses microfiber mop pads that are machine washable. In mopping mod, the machine will avoid soft surfaces like rugs, according to the brand.
Navigation on this Bissell is not perfect, says Turely. In some cases, you may find it cleaning the same area of your floor several times, and you may need to give it a helping hand.
Type: vacuum & mop | Capacity: 400ml | Mapping: no | No-go zones: no | Obstacle avoidance: no | Run time: up to 130 minutes | App: yes | Auto-emptying: no
Related
How to shop for a robot vacuum
Robot vacuums have come a long way — they are more powerful, more efficient and more capable of cleaning different floor types than ever before, says Prouty. They are designed to make cleaning simple, but the robots themselves can be difficult to shop for, with confusing model names and multiple versions that look the same at a glance. Our experts highlight a few factors to keep in mind to narrow down your choices as you shop:
Consider the size of your living space
The size and layout of your space will dictate what kind of robot vacuum is best for you.
It can take a robot vacuum up to two hours to clean a medium sized space, says Turley. If you have a large home, consider a robot vacuum with a charging base station, that way, they can charge mid-routine if needed.
If you live in a multi-floor home, having two smaller robot vacuums can be helpful — that way, you don’t have to carry one up and down the stairs, says Prouty.
Special considerations for pet owners
Pet owners should prioritize a few features. One is waste detection — if your pet has the occasional at-home accident, a robot vacuum that can intelligently avoid pet waste is crucial, says Prouty.
Prouty and Turley recommend pet owners run their robot vacuum daily. That’s why pet owners should consider a robot vacuum with an auto-emptying base station. This lets the robot empty its contents into a larger bin, so you aren’t constantly having to empty the much smaller on-robot dustbin, says Prouty.
Set reasonable expectation
Robot vacuums are extremely convenient, but even the most advanced models are not a replacement for hand vacuuming, mopping and cleaning, according to our experts. Some cannot get under low furniture, most cannot navigate stairs, and none are as powerful as a full sized vacuum, says Prouty.
Robot vacuums may not always clean in a straight line. If uneven vacuum marks drive you crazy, you might be better off with a cordless vacuum, says Turley.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Kathy Turley is the director of marketing at Home Clean Heroes, a customizable home cleaning service company with locations in six states.
- Carl Prouty is the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer based in Glenview, Illinois.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including guides to fitness trackers and over-ear headphones.
For this piece, I spoke with cleaning and electronics experts to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of robot vacuums. I also spoke with NBC Select staff to get their robot vacuum recommendations.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
