The Best Robot Vacuums: Smart Cleaning Made Easy

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Robot vacuums have come a long way, making home cleaning easier than ever. Even budget-friendly models can handle pet hair and dust with minimal effort from you. The best ones go even further—mapping your home, scheduling cleanings, responding to voice commands, and even emptying themselves.

But let’s be real: while these gadgets are great for routine upkeep, they’re not a full replacement for traditional vacuums, especially when it comes to deep-cleaning carpets. Even top-tier models have their quirks—getting stuck, missing spots, or struggling with tangled cords.

In our latest round of testing, we evaluated different robot vacuums, ranging from budget-friendly, somewhat aimless models to highly sophisticated machines that (usually) navigate with ease. Our top recommendations are the Roborock Q5 Max+, thanks to its self-emptying dock, and the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max, a fantastic value pick.

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Roborock Q5 Max+: High-Tech Cleaning at Its Best

The Roborock Q5 Max+ demonstrating its ability to navigate different floor types.

The Roborock Q5 Max+ impressed us with its powerful cleaning performance, outpacing some pricier competitors. It’s one of the best at navigating your home, mapping multiple levels, and remembering room layouts for more efficient cleaning.

The Roborock app is user-friendly and packed with customizations. You can schedule cleanings, target specific rooms, or even send the robot back to areas it might have missed. If there are spaces you don’t want it to clean, you can set up no-go zones.

While no robot vacuum is perfect at avoiding obstacles, the Q5 Max+ does a better job than most. It’s also one of the quietest we tested—perfect for homes with pets or anyone who prefers a low-noise environment. Plus, it comes with a self-emptying charging station, so you don’t have to worry about frequent bin cleanouts.

The Q5 Max+ includes a one-year warranty for added peace of mind.

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Eufy RoboVac 11S Max: Budget-Friendly and Surprisingly Powerful

The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max showcasing its low-profile design, ideal for cleaning under furniture.

If you want a solid robot vacuum without breaking the bank, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max is a fantastic choice. Despite lacking smart navigation, it outperformed many advanced models, picking up dust and debris along baseboards and under furniture with ease.

At just 2.85 inches tall, this vacuum effortlessly slides under couches and beds to grab dust bunnies and stray pet food. It’s also one of the quietest models we tested, blending into the background as it cleans.

While it doesn’t have app connectivity, the included remote lets you schedule cleanings and manually direct the vacuum to missed spots. Its navigation can feel a bit random, which might annoy some users, but if you want a no-fuss, effective cleaner, the 11S Max delivers.

Like the Q5 Max+, the 11S Max comes with a one-year warranty.

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Our Research: How We Found the Best

A robot vacuum effectively navigating around toys on a carpeted floor, highlighting its obstacle avoidance capabilities.

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Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve spent over 100 hours testing dozens of robot vacuums across various models in a real-world environment—a multi-pet, multistory home with a mix of surfaces. To ensure accuracy, we interviewed experts from leading brands like iRobot, Roborock, and Ecovacs. We also analyzed thousands of customer reviews using AI tools to identify key trends and concerns.

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Who Should Consider A Robot Vacuum?

If you want cleaner floors with minimal effort, a robot vacuum can be a game-changer. These devices are perfect for people who are short on time, have mobility limitations, or simply dislike vacuuming. Unlike humans, they don’t procrastinate and can maintain a consistent cleaning routine.

Robot vacuums are especially useful for pet owners and parents, as they help control shedding and daily messes. However, while they’re great for surface cleaning, they can’t match the deep-cleaning power of an upright or canister vacuum. Even the most advanced models struggle with embedded dirt in carpets, and many don’t fully clean edges and baseboards. Additionally, you’ll need to tidy up beforehand, as these vacuums can get stuck on cords, toys, and socks.

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How We Tested and Evaluated

A robot vacuum undergoing cleaning performance testing with a variety of debris.

We reviewed different robot vacuums and ranked them based on the following criteria:

• Cleaning Performance: Each vacuum was tested in a 1000-square-foot space with furniture, thresholds, and area rugs. We spread a mix of rice, cat litter, and Cheerios across different rooms and measured how much each vacuum collected. We also tested performance on pet fur and fine debris near baseboards.

• Obstacle Navigation: We assessed how well each vacuum handled obstacles, such as thresholds and furniture, and noted any recurring errors

• App and Voice Control: For smart models, we tested app usability, scheduling functions, and compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home.

• Reliability and Maintenance: We conducted long-term tests, checked for easy access to replacement parts, and analyzed customer feedback.

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Preferential Choice: Roborock Q5 Max+

The Roborock Q5 Max+ demonstrating its navigation capabilities in a living room setting.

If you have a shedding pet or a messy toddler, the Roborock Q5 Max+ is a powerful sidekick to a traditional vacuum. This model ranked among the best for thorough cleaning, quiet operation, and smart navigation. Plus, it comes with a self-emptying dock for added convenience.

The Q5 Max+ includes a self-emptying dock.

Why We Love It

• Exceptional Cleaning Power: The Q5 Max+ removed nearly 90% of test debris, outperforming many pricier models.

• Smart Navigation: Using lidar and bump sensors, it maps your home in a single session and cleans efficiently, taking half the time of many competitors.

• Handles Obstacles Well: While it won’t climb stairs, it successfully crossed a 0.75-inch threshold—something most other bots couldn’t do.

The Roborock vacuum managed to cross the bathroom's 0.75-inch boundary.

• Feature-Packed App: Roborock’s intuitive app allows for multi-level mapping, spot cleaning, and auto-boost mode for carpets. You can also set up no-go zones.

• Voice Command Compatibility: Works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Home. Just be sure to pronounce “Roborock” clearly!

Compared to some of the other bots we evaluated, the Q5 Max+ and its emptying dock are comparatively quiet and pet-friendly.

• Long Battery Life: Runs up to 240 minutes on bare floors in quiet mode, making it ideal for larger homes.

• Quiet Self-Emptying Dock: Unlike some competitors, the dock effectively clears debris—including heavier particles like rice and Cheerios—without excessive noise.

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A Few Drawbacks

The Roborock Q5 Max+ is less effective at collecting debris near walls and thresholds because it only has one brush.

• Misses Some Spots: Like most robot vacuums, it struggles with edges and baseboards. The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max and Miele Scout RX3 performed better in this area.
• Customer Service Concerns: Some users report inconsistent support from Roborock. Our own call was answered quickly, but reviews suggest mixed experiences.
• Limited Replacement Parts: While filters, brushes, and batteries are replaceable, Roborock doesn’t offer motor replacements like iRobot and Eufy do.

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Budget Choice: Eufy RoboVac 11S Max

The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max easily cleaning under a sofa, highlighting its low-profile design.

Looking for a budget-friendly robot vacuum that gets the job done without unnecessary bells and whistles? The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max might be just what you need. While it lacks advanced mapping and a self-emptying dock, it offers powerful suction, a large dustbin, and quiet operation—all at a fraction of the price of high-end models like the Roborock Q5 Max+.

Why The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max Stands Out

1. Impressive Cleaning Power

Despite its affordability, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max excels at picking up dirt, dust, and pet hair. In tests, it handled everything from rice and Cheerios to cat litter and fine baking soda near baseboards—something even some premium models struggle with. The vacuum's 600-milliliter dustbin means fewer trips to empty it, making it ideal for pet owners and busy households.

2. Quiet and Nimble

Unlike some noisy robot vacuums, the 11S Max operates so quietly that you might forget it’s even running. It maneuvers well over small obstacles and transitions smoothly between different flooring types. However, its drop sensors can sometimes fail, leading to occasional tumbles down stairs—so keeping them clean is essential.

The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max is an outstanding cleaner, and despite its simple bump-navigation system, it was less likely to become tangled than the more expensive machines we tested. It also cleans well around baseboards, outperforming our top choice.

3. Compact Design For Hard-to-Reach Areas

At just 2.85 inches tall, the 11S Max slides effortlessly under most furniture, unlike bulkier models such as the Roborock Q5 Max+, which is an inch taller. This makes it particularly useful for reaching dust bunnies under beds and couches.

4. Simple Controls Withouth Wi-Fi Dependency

If you prefer a no-fuss robot vacuum, the 11S Max is a great choice. While it doesn’t connect to an app, it comes with a handy remote control that lets you schedule cleanings and manually direct the vacuum as needed.

5. Durable and Long-Lasting

Eufy’s reputation for reliability holds up with this model. Users have reported running their Eufy 11S (its predecessor) for nearly four years with minimal maintenance, only needing to replace the battery after heavy use. Plus, Eufy offers a variety of replacement parts, making repairs easier and extending the vacuum’s lifespan.

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What To Anticipate

The iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot, which is offered on Amazon as the Q0120 and the Q011, that comes with an additional filter, is presently undergoing testing. With enhanced suction and app compatibility, it expands upon the iRobot 600 series. Additionally, we intend to evaluate the iRobot Roomba Vac 2 Essential Robot, which was introduced in November 2024 and features an auto-empty dock. We'll add our findings to this guide.

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How It Compares To The Competition

The Miele Scout RX3 offers a unique built-in live camera.

1. Dyson 360 Vis Nav ($1,200)

Despite its premium price, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav failed to outperform the budget-friendly Eufy RoboVac 11S Max in cleaning tests. Its advanced features don’t compensate for a short battery life and frequent glitches.

2. Miele Scout RX3 ($900)

The Miele Scout RX3 offers a unique built-in live camera but struggles with basic functionality like crossing low thresholds. Its app is also limited, and Alexa compatibility is frustratingly inconsistent.

3. Shark RV2310AE Matrix

While the Shark RV2310AE Matrix excels at climbing over thresholds, it tends to scatter debris rather than fully capturing it. It also frequently docks before completing a full cleaning cycle.

4. Eureka E10S

This model was riddled with issues, from speaking only Russian upon setup to failing to return to its base. During testing, it obsessively cleaned the same small area for 15 minutes while ignoring the rest of the floor.

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The Verdict on iRobot Roombas

While iRobot has long been a leader in robot vacuums, recent testing revealed some significant drawbacks:

• Roomba 694: Outperformed by the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max, picking up significantly less debris.

• Roomba i4/i4+ EVO: Slow mapping, unreliable Wi-Fi connectivity, and an ineffective self-emptying dock.

• Roomba j9+: Good cleaning power, but struggled with self-emptying and frequently bumped into furniture.

• Roomba Combo i5+: Required unnecessary extra setup and performed poorly at both vacuuming and mopping.

iRobot's inconsistent app performance and customer service issues further diminish its appeal compared to Eufy’s solid reliability.

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What About Robot Vacuum-Mop Combos?

Robot vacuum-mop combos.

Many brands, including Roborock, iRobot, Ecovacs, and Eufy, now offer vacuum-mop hybrids. While these seem like a great idea, our tests found they often struggle with dried stains, leave carpet edges wet, and require high maintenance.

Even premium models like the $1,900 Roborock S8 MaxUltra, which connects to a home plumbing system, failed to remove stubborn stains and still got tangled in obstacles. Until the technology improves, a separate robot vacuum and a traditional mop remain the better choice.

Both the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni (on the left) and the Roborock Q Revo have a self-emptying foundation that separates dirty and pure water.

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Maintenance Tips for Your Eufy RoboVac 11S Max

Simple upkeep, such as cleaning the wheel bearings and charging contacts and changing the side brush.

To keep your robot vacuum running smoothly, follow these simple maintenance steps:

• Clear the floor before cleaning to avoid entanglements.

• Shake off the filter every few uses and replace it periodically.

• Cut away hair wrapped around the brush roll.

• Clean the sensors to ensure proper navigation and prevent falls.

• Check the wheels and brushes regularly to prevent blockages.

• Replace worn-out parts like filters, side brushes, and batteries when needed.

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Final Thoughts: Is the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max Right for You?

If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable, and efficient robot vacuum that doesn’t require an app or smart features, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max is a fantastic choice. It cleans well, operates quietly, and fits under most furniture—all while being easy to maintain. While it may lack high-tech mapping, its strong suction, large dustbin, and durability make it an excellent budget pick.

For those who want more advanced features, options like the Roborock Q5 Max+ or Roomba j9+ may be worth considering—but if you’re after great performance at a great price, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max is hard to beat.