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Robot Vacuum Buying Guide—what You Need To Know
Robot vacuums have come a long way since their debut more than 20 years ago. In that time these bots have gone from a novelty to a staple household appliance. Some of today's best robot vacuums include advancements like AI object recognition and self-emptying bases. This technology can automatically clean your house and store debris for up to three months without requiring you to lift a finger.
With this convenience, it's no wonder why more and more of us are opening our homes to these little helpers. But with so many robots released each year it can be tough to spot what makes a model one of the of the best robot vacuums. This guide will take you through the different types available, as well as the features, strengths, and weaknesses to look out for, so you can make an informed decision.
You're going to want to set a budget before anything else. Robot vacuums can cost anywhere from $200 to over $1,400, so it's surprisingly easy to overspend. We recommend deciding on a maximum price as well as must-have features to help you get the best value for your money. Some of the best cheap robot vacuums we've tested can't map a room but clean it just as well (or even better) as those three times the price thanks to impressive suction power. Don't be driven by expensive features you're not likely to use.
The best robot vacuum for you will vary depending on the layout of your home as well as your specific needs and preferences. For instance, some function better on hard floors, while others excel on carpets. If you've got pets running around, the best robot vacuums for pet hair have strong suction power to grab hair. If you've got plenty of hard floors, perhaps one of the best robot mops will be necessary.
How we test the robot vacuums in this guideWe've tested countless robot vacuums to help you pick out your ideal cleaner. Each model earned a cleaning efficiency score based on how much Cheerios, kitty litter and pet hair it picked up from both hard floors and carpet. Plus, we used each robot vacuum at home, exactly as you would, to find every pro and con behind the design and app features like no-go zones and multi-level mapping.
After extensive testing, we've compiled several buying guides to showcase our results, including the best Roombas, the best cheap robot vacuums and the best robot mops. We can even tell you what it's like when you use a robot vacuum in your home for the first time. So if you want to know more about robot vacuums so you can decide if one is right for you, you've come to the right place. Here are some buying tips to get you started.
Robot vacuum dealsIf you're thinking about investing in a new robot vacuum, be sure to check out our robot vacuum deals page first. We update it regularly with the latest sales in robot vacuums and mops. Plus, models with self-emptying bases sometimes make an appearance.
Quick tips for buying a robot vacuum
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The future is here with robots handling many of our daily tasks: Cars that drive themselves, drones that navigate the sky, and robot vacuums that find their way around furniture. A robot vacuum keeps things relatively clean and saves you the hassle of hauling out the heavy canister vacuum every time a bowl of peanuts falls on the floor.
Though robot vacuum technology has advanced a lot recently, you'll probably still want to keep a traditional vacuum cleaner around for deep cleaning. Robot vacuums are great for daily tidying-- picking up stray crumbs, cat litter, hair of all types, dust bunnies and everything else that finds its way onto your floors. They're suited for office spaces, too, because the last thing you want to worry about when you're on deadline is why the floor is covered in sprinkles. They're also great for living spaces shared with roommates as it means there's one less chore to split up.
Many robot vacuums can be scheduled to run as often as multiple times a day, and some app-enabled robots allow you to watch their progress as they clean. If you're concerned about allergies or dust, you can also find models that empty the on-board dustbin into a larger bin in the base — minimizing your exposure to dust.
Robot vacuum buying guide: How big is your house?First things first: Consider how big your house is before you start browsing the Amazon aisles. Some robot vacuums, like the iLife V3s Pro, work better in small environments like apartments and townhomes, while models like the Roborock S4 Max are better-suited for spaces of up to 2,000 square feet with multiple rooms and multiple floors. Your pick will mainly depend on the size of your dwelling.
You'll also want to figure out how much room you have under the furniture for the robot vacuum to pass through. Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3 are 3.6 inches tall and likely can't fit under a couch, At just under 2.85 inches tall, the Eufy Robovac G30, for example, has an easier time navigating through tight spaces.
Today's best iLife V3s Pro deals
Most robot vacuum models can easily handle cleaning both carpets and hardwood, but some are better at cleaning one or the other. Higher-end robot vacuums such as the Roomba J9+ Combo can accommodate rapid surface changes by folding its mop pad atop itself and ramping up power whenever carpet is detected, and then throttling back down when it senses hardwood. Rugs should also factor into your buying decision. You might find that lower-end models will get caught up in tassels.
If you're just looking for hardwood maintenance, you can go as cheap as the $118 iLife V3s Pro, as it does very well with cleaning pet hair off hardwood floors. If your floors are vinyl and tile, and you're hoping for some mopping help, there's the iRobot Braava jet m6, which is specifically made for dusting and washing floors using a spray nozzle. (It's tops on our list of the best robot mops).
We've tried so-called hybrid robot vacuums that can both vacuum and mop, but found the trade-offs rarely justify the price and don't actually make the tasks any more convenient. One exception is the Roborock S7, which is the first robot vacuum/mop we've tested that performs both jobs well without breaking the bank.
Today's best Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum deals
Do you have cats or dogs (or any other pet that sheds)?
Thankfully, many manufacturers make robot vacuums that are suited for cleaning up after pets. Models like the iLife V3s Pro, the Roomba S9, and the Roborock S4 Max scored the best in our robot vacuum lab tests, picking up nearly all pet hair on both hardwood and carpeting. And if you suffer from allergies, these robot vacuums have high-efficiency filters to help eliminate allergens that are hanging in the air.
Of course, the downside to having a robot vacuum clean up after your pets is that you'll also have to make sure you plan for frequent maintenance. Things like the roller brush, side brushes and filters will eventually wear out and need replacing. And even if you just want a robot vacuum to help with kitties that scoot their litter over the side, you'll need to remember to empty out the dustbin frequently so that it doesn't overflow. Don't want to think about it?
There are now several robot vacuums available with self-emptying dustbins such as the iRobot Roomba i7+, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8, and the Shark IQ. Some manufacturers allow you to purchase the auto-emptying bases separately, so you can upgrade if you decide it's a feature you'd like.
If your pets sometimes have accidents, which can be your worst nightmare when combined with a robot vacuum, then you might be interested in the new iRobot Roomba j7+. It features machine learning to identify objects and learn from its encounters. This means it's guaranteed to avoid pet poop — when we put it to the test, we found it was very effective.
Today's best iRobot Roomba i7 Plus deals
Should you get a self-emptying base?Premium robot vacuums often come with self-emptying charging bases. These start from about $350 and can go as high as $1,400 with the latest features. There are lots of benefits to getting a self-emptying base. First, your robot vacuum can literally self-empty, so if the onboard dustbin is filled mid-route, it can empty itself and then continue cleaning uninterrupted. A self-emptying base saves you from the chore of emptying the dustbin so often as well, with most bases able to hold around 60 days of dust.
Plus, because the dust is collected and sealed in a dust bag, you're not exposed to the dirt when the time comes to change the bag — great if you suffer from allergies. If your robot vacuum has a mopping function, some bases come with water tanks and scrubbing abilities as well, so it can keep the mop cloth clean. Ultimately, this technology makes your robot vacuum more independent and capable.
However, there are some drawbacks to self-emptying bases. Ignoring the additional cost, these take up a lot more floor space. A robot vacuum with a self-emptying base protrudes much further from the wall and sits much taller. These devices also make a lot of noise when in use — as loud if not more so than a full-size vacuum, and one emptying session can last for around 30 seconds at a time. The value of a self-emptying base comes down to your own needs and preferences. If you suffer from allergies or can't stand touching the dirt, it can be a real benefit. But, if you're tight for space and like a quiet household, it may not be to your taste.
Do you want a "smart" robot vacuum?The internet is a glorious thing that helps keep us connected, not only to other people but also to our appliances. Most robot vacuums now offer companion apps for your smartphone that give you full control over your bot wherever you are. Even vacuums that don't support mapping, such as the iRobot Roomba 675, are connected to your home's WiFi and controlled via an app. While features vary by manufacturer and model, most robot vacuum apps allow you to start and stop the bot, schedule cleanings, and increase or decrease suction intensity.
If a robot vacuum has app capabilities, it often means that it also offers Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. If it does, you can enable its voice-command capabilities by enabling the skill and saying "Roborock, start cleaning!" and the vacuum will get going.
There are still a few entry-level robot vacuums that come with a remote instead of connecting to an app. While you'll save some dough, it could be a hassle to use all of the vacuum's features if the remote goes missing. At the very least, all robot vacuums include an onboard start/stop button.
Hybrid robot vacuum/mops aren't greatThere are more than a few robot vacuums that also have a mopping feature built in, which is in theory a great idea: A single device to clean both your carpets and your hardwood floors. However, the models we've tested didn't excel at one or both functions.
So far, our favorites are the Roborock S7, the Roborock S6 MaxV, and the iLife V5s Pro. The V5s Pro was inexpensive and great at vacuuming, but was a poor mopper. Yes, it'll cost more, but if you want a robot mop, it's worth investing in a dedicated device. For smaller homes, the iRobot Braava jet 240 ($179) is a simple, affordable dedicated mopping bot.
Today's best iRobot Braava Jet M6 deals
Here's the thing about robot vacuum battery life: It only matters to a certain extent. Throughout all of our robot vacuum testing, nearly every vacuum we tested lasted through an entire cleaning session without needing to charge.
On average, a robot vacuum can clean for up to an hour and a half, with some high-end models lasting a full two hours. Many vacuums will even navigate back to their base stations, charge up and then finish cleaning to get the deed done.
Settle on a budgetRobot vacuums are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes and at varying prices. As with most things in life, the more you spend, the more features you get. For example, higher-end robot vacuums will have better mapping capabilities and include features like keep out zones, single room cleaning, and targeted area cleaning for high traffic spaces. They also have more add-on features such as charging docks with auto-emptying dustbins and sonic mopping attachments.
However, we've found robot vacuums less than $200 that clean just as well, if not better, than models that cost three to four times as much. Just don't expect too many fancy features. Also, keep in mind that many manufacturers will discount older models as they release newer ones.
Robot vacuum buying guide: What you get for less than $200
Low- to mid-end robot vacs will offer long cleaning times, large dustbins and low profiles, but, to save you a few bucks, they often forego such things as Wi-Fi connectivity and sophisticated navigation. So, instead of moving around a room in an orderly fashion, they'll ping-pong around randomly until the job is done.
Our top pick under $200 is the iLife V3s Pro, which is just $118, but was one of the best cleaners of all the robot vacuums we tested. Almost as impressive is the WiFi-connected iRobot Roomba 675, which can be found for $199 and works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Today's best iLife V3s Pro and iRobot Roomba 675 deals
Robot vacuum buying guide: What you get for $200- $600
If you're able to budget more for home cleaner, you'll have a lot of options with features such as home mapping, room-specific cleaning and automatic dirt detection. Mapping is incredibly handy because it increases a robot vacuum's cleaning efficiency and ensures that the vac is cleaning the whole level and not aimlessly bouncing around under kitchen chairs.
Our current overall favorite robot vacuum, the $429 Roborock S4 Max sits right in the middle of this price range and multi-level mapping and room-specific cleaning. Other solid picks in this range are the Neato D4 for $299, the quiet cleaning Eufy Robovac G30 Edge, and the iRobot Roomba i3+ with self-emptying base for $599.
Today's best Roborock S4 Max and Neato Botvac Connected D4 deals
Robot vacuum buying guide: What you get for more than $600
Good help doesn't come cheap. There are relatively few robot vacuums in this price range, and most of the advanced features available in these bots fall under "nice to have" instead of "absolutely necessary." These include the ability to map up to 10 floors, avoid specific areas, empty their own dustbins, and work in partnership with other robot vacuums.
Our top pick in this bracket is the iRobot Roomba S9+, which is not only an excellent vacuum, but also has a recharging base with a dustbin that sucks the dirt out of the vacuum. This means you don't have to empty the vacuum after each cleaning nor do you have to deal with the dust. The S9+ also works in conjunction with the iRobot Braava jet M6 ($399), a robot mop, so that when the vacuuming is done, the mop can take over. However, the S9+ costs $1,099 ($899 without the self-emptying base), so it's a real investment.
How easy is it to clean or maintain?Since robot vacuums are designed to clean, we often forget that these also need regular maintenance. In fact, forgetting to clean is one of the 9 vacuum cleaner mistakes you're probably making. It's best to always empty out the bins after use to prevent an overflow of dirt and grime. This will also affect the robot vacuum's over performance.
Similarly, it's good practice to cut free any hairs which have tangled in the rotating brush as well as clean the filters. Some brands come with a designated cleaning tool to make these tasks easier. In addition, the filters will need replacing — you should refer to your manual for guidance on how often to replace and where to buy.
Today's best iRobot Roomba S9+ deals
What are the disadvantages of robot vacuums?Sometimes robot vacuum cleaners do sound too good to be true, and there are definitely factors you should be aware of before making a purchase.
Firstly, a robot vacuum won't replace your upright model. Unfortunately, these devices can't provide as much power as corded or stick vacuum cleaners. Robot vacuum cleaners will only offer light, everyday cleaning — you unfortunately will still have to get out the best vacuum cleaner every couple of weeks. So forget about giving up vacuuming by hand in exchange for a robot vacuum cleaner.
Next, robot vacuum cleaners can take up a substantial amount of floor space, particularly if you opt for one with a self-emptying base, and they're situated permanently. We found the impressive-looking Roborock S7 MaxV needed a lot of room to fit the multifunctional base — the dock has a total footprint of 19.4 inches by 16.5 inches. And add to that, any robot vacuum you buy will require a certain amount of empty space on each side and above to function. Make sure you check the space requirements before you pick a model, and consider how this will impact the decor of your home.
Robot vacuums have come a long way, and some of the best robot vacuums are pretty independent, but unfortunately some can still get stuck in tight spaces and require your help to recommence. So, unless you move all potential obstacles out of the way prior to each session, be prepared to help your robot vacuum once in a while. If you decide to purchase a model without a self-empty base, be aware that you will need to empty the dustbin yourself every couple of runs as well.
While it's good to be aware of the above, don't forget about the convenience and the positive impact these devices can have on your day-to-day life. They will ultimately keep your home clean and require very little maintenance.
Uncanny Profits: 3 AI Robot Stocks To Own Despite The Creep Factor
InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips
Have you ever heard of the uncanny valley? It refers to the unsettling feeling humans sometimes experience when seeing a humanoid robot or generated face, for example. It arises when such faces feel slightly "off." The term itself was coined by a Japanese professor in the 1970s with the "valley" referring to an inflection point at which human-like robot features move from endearing to scary. While an AI robot can be uncannily human at times, the returns from stocks in companies making such robots can also prove uncanny.
That's what we will be discussing as the development of AI robots continues to progress. There are a handful of prominent firms that are leveraging AI in robotics, some of which are also developing humanoid robots. Let's look at three such AI robot companies and their stocks.
Tesla (TSLA)
Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.Com
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is the world's most famous electric vehicle company. It's also one of the companies at the forefront of humanoid AI robots. The company announced that it was developing a humanoid AI robot back in 2021. The company then first revealed a prototype in September of 2022 at Tesla's AI day.
Tesla itself hasn't released much information about the so-called Optimus robot. The brief information it does offer can be found here. It explains pretty much what anyone would expect. It requires a lot of complex engineering and is generally being designed to engage in unsafe, boring or repetitive tasks.
The company has done some limited demonstrations of the robot. Well not yet at that level, it's clear that Optimus has the potential to replace factory workers. It should also be noted that other automotive manufacturers have integrated humanoid AI robots at their factories.
While it will take a long, long time for Optimus robots to materially affect Tesla's stock, it's probably worth investing now as Tesla seems to have passed its low point.
Hyundai Motor Company (HYMTF)
Source: shutterstock.Com/AntonovVitalii
Hyundai Motor Company (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is another automotive manufacturer which produces internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs. It also owns Boston Dynamics which it operates as a subsidiary. Boston Dynamics one of the best known robotics company globally. Its dog-like robot named Spot is very recognizable.
The robot is offered in three pre-configured packages designed for inspection, research and hazardous response. Spot also has an API allowing it to be programmed for more specific uses. And, the robot is deployable from distances of 600 miles.
Boston Dynamics is not a standalone company and instead is an operating segment of Hyundai. Thus, investors will not be able to profit from the AI robot opportunity directly via HYMTF shares.
Instead, investors should keep Boston Dynamics in mind as a company that could potentially be spun off in the future. Hyundai Motor Company may separate the company and bring it public at some point in the future.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)
Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.Com
Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) debuted its Da Vinci surgical system all the way back in the year 2000. That system has a long track record of assisting surgeons in precision procedures and improving outcomes. Today, Intuitive Surgical is one of the best AI robot stocks available to investors.
The company is applying artificial intelligence to its DaVinci surgical system in multiple ways. Intuitive launched a digital tool late last year that allows surgeons to study their own procedure data to achieve better results for patients.
AI is also embedded in the company's stapler device and measures thousands of data points per second to ensure that a good staple fire occurs.
Intuitive surgical, like many other healthcare firms, is leveraging AI for its prowess in improving 3D scans to improve outcomes.While the company is not currently developing humanoid robots it is a stock that has returned nearly 20% to investors year-to-date.
On the date of publication, Alex Sirois did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.Com Publishing Guidelines.
Alex Sirois is a freelance contributor to InvestorPlace whose personal stock investing style is focused on long-term, buy-and-hold, wealth-building stock picks. Having worked in several industries from e-commerce to translation to education and utilizing his MBA from George Washington University, he brings a diverse set of skills through which he filters his writing.
More From InvestorPlaceThe post Uncanny Profits: 3 AI Robot Stocks to Own Despite the Creep Factor appeared first on InvestorPlace.
You, Too, Can Own A Short King Humanoid Robot
Does anyone want to buy a humanoid robot for $16,000? The latest product from Unitree hopes that you will: Meet the Unitree G1, a "Humanoid agent AI avatar," aka a robot. If you haven't heard of Unitree, it's sort of the go-to "budget Chinese option" in the robot space. You're going to have to deal with company promotional materials that are just barely written in English, but you get some impressive bang-for-your-buck robots. You may have seen the Spot knockoff Unitree Go2, a $1,600 robot dog that various resellers have equipped with a flamethrower or just straight-up military rifles.
Unitree's promo video shows some impressive capabilities for such a cheap robot. It can stand up on its own from a flat-on-the-floor position. Just like the recent Boston Dynamics Atlas video, the G1 stands up in probably the strangest way possible. While lying face-up on the floor, the G1 brings its knees up, puts its feet flat on the floor, and then pushes up on the feet to form a tripod with the head still on the ground. From there, it uses a limbo-like move to lean its knees forward, bringing up its head and torso with all core strength.
Photograph: Unitree
The G1 is a budget robot, so the walk cycle is kind of primitive. It walks, stands, and "runs" in a permanent half-squat with its legs forward and knees bent all the time. The balance looks great though—at one point a person shows up and roughs up the robot a bit, kicking it in the back and punching it in the chest. In both cases, it absorbs the abuse with just a step back or two and keeps on trucking.
So, is this humanoid robot … useful? Is it a toy? A big limitation in the real world is its height, a diminutive 4'2" tall, which will make many tasks difficult. If you ask the usual "Can it do the dishes?" question (assuming the water won't be an issue), you're going to first have to hope it can reach the bottom of the sink. It's going to struggle to reach the bottom shelf of a kitchen cabinet. Maybe you can teach it to use a stool. The small size is key to getting the price down, though. Unitree's other humanoid robot, the H1, is adult-sized, but it's also $90,000.
As for other specs in the confusing and poorly put-together spec sheet, it has a 9,000-mAh battery that lasts two hours. The weight is listed as both 35 kg and 47 kg depending on where you look, so it's somewhere in the 77- to 104-pound range. We do get real component model numbers for the vision system: an Intel RealSense D435 depth camera and a Livox-MID360 lidar puck. The lidar puck location is interesting. The face of the robot is clear glass, and the head is hollow aside from a, uh, "brain" part at the top of the head. The lidar puck is mounted to the underside of the brain and peers through the front of the face glass to see forward. Robot design is weird.
The robot can run at 2 meters per second or 4.4 miles per hour. That's around a slow jog. If "Arm Maximum Load" on the spec sheet is how much it can lift, it can lift 2 kg, or a paltry 4.4 pounds. The joints are all in a 160- to 310-degree range. You're going to have to do a lot of programming to make this do anything useful, but Unitree is not very forthcoming about how you're supposed to do that. Presumably you'll be using the same Unitree SDK the robot dogs use. You can also poke around the developer documentation for the Unitree H1 to get an idea of what you'll be in for.
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