Vacuuming is a little bit like painting the Golden Gate Bridge – by the time you’ve gotten to the end of it, it’s time to start all over again. And while I personally love the satisfaction of zooming around the house, cordless vac in hand, not everyone feels the same way.
Which is why back in the early noughties, when the Roomba first dropped people went mad. A disk-like robot that quietly vacuumed your carpets for you, before returning back to its little home base without so much as you needing to ask. It sounded too good to be true.
And in some ways, it was. As it hardly did the job to the same high quality as a human with a vacuum in hand. But can the same be said now in 2022?
In this article we take a look at what you can expect from robot vacuum cleaners in 2022, what features to look out for, as well as a few recommendations to get you started.
What is a robot vacuum cleaner?
A robot vacuum cleaner is a small (typically disk shaped) vacuum that can operate without the need for you to lift a finger. Typically these devices can navigate spaces independently (after an initial set-up), operating continuously until the job is complete or the battery needs recharging. At which point, it will autonomously return to its charging station.
What that all means is a freshly vacuumed house without ever having to pull out the stick vacuum yourself.
How do they work?
Robot vacuums use sensors to detect dirt, dust, and other particles and vacuum accordingly and/or map out spaces and floor plans, which can then be used to create a means to effectively vacuum the designated area(s). These sensors can also scan their surroundings and determine obstacles in their path, including ‘cliff sensors’ that detect sudden drops, such as the top of a staircase.
Most robot vacuums also come with an inbuilt algorithm that scans and stores multiple maps of different floors of your home to achieve complete floor coverage. And some models even let you customise which rooms you’d like the robot to clean on each floor, although this varies by manufacturer and model.
A lot of modern robot vacuums now also feature both vacuum and mopping capabilities, while there are also dedicated robot mops which function in much the same way.
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How much do they cost?
As futuristic as they sound, certain models can be picked up relatively cheaper. The cheapest models tend to start at around $300, though bear in mind these will be far more basic in features and may not function to the same level as pricier models.
The most expensive robot vacuum cleaners can cost upwards of $2000.
Features to consider
Many robot vacuum cleaners come with advanced features that allow for ‘hands-free’ cleaning. Some common features of robot vacuums to look for include:
- Stair detection: This feature is standard across most basic models, and it helps your robot vac detect drops to prevent it from falling down stairs and steps. Falls can obviously damage a small piece of technology like this, so this feature is a must-have.
- Virtual boundary: This feature allows you to control the robotic vacuum cleaner’s operating area, choose only specific rooms that need cleaning, or restrict access to certain areas if privacy is needed (i.e. bathrooms).
- Floor mapping: Scan and store multiple maps of different floors in your home. The robot will customise its cleaning path once it knows the map it’s in. You can also customise which room(s) you’d like the robot to clean on each floor.
- Scheduled cleaning: You can schedule your robot vacuum cleaner to clean rooms of your house or apartment while you’re away. This is one of the key appeals of purchasing this type of appliance.
- Automatic charging: When the battery runs low, the robotic vacuum cleaner automatically returns to its docking station for charging and continues cleaning the floor where it left off. This can be extremely convenient when combined with scheduled cleaning.
- Smart compatibility: Allows for remote control by linking your robot vac to smart devices, so that you can calibrate your robot, schedule a cleaning time and check the current cleaning status anytime via your smartphone or home voice assistant.
- Automatic empty: Some models come with a larger docking station with an inbuilt dustbin that allows the robot vacuum to empty itself.
- Vacuum power: The more powerful a vacuum cleaner is, the better it will be at sucking up dirt and debris. Interestingly, the difference in price between vacuum cleaners is usually due to the efficiency of their navigation – size and power tend not to vary much to preserve mobility and battery life. If power is your priority, you’re better off simply buying a cheaper model.
How long do robot vacuums last?
Robot vacuums offer runtimes typically ranging between 60-180 minutes depending on the brand, battery type and model. Models with lithium batteries may cost a little more upfront, but last about four times longer than those with simple nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) replacement batteries. Most robot vac brands use their own patented battery balancing technology to expand the battery life on their models.
While an hour or so of runtime may not seem very long, especially if you’ve got large surfaces areas to cover, keep in mind:
a) How often do you vacuum non-stop for that long? Vacuums don’t usually need to operate for extended periods of time.
b) Robot vacuums return to their charging station autonomously, and pick up where they left off once charged.
c) Users often set the vacuum to operate while they are away from home, for example while at work. If so, whether the job is done in a few minutes or a few hours may not be of relevance.
Pros & cons of robot vacuum cleaners
You might be in love with the idea of a robot vacuum, but you should be aware of the disadvantages that come with owning one. Robot vacuum cleaners aren’t perfect, and we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons to simplify it for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| You can buy some models for fairly cheap (under $200) | Less powerful than standard corded and cordless vacuums |
| Super convenient, and can clean the house while you’re out | Can’t vacuum stairs or upholstery |
| Continuous cleaning, so your home can stay clean 24/7 | Require more regular maintenance (i.e. batteries, mopping pads, etc.) |
| Perfect for cleaning pet hair regularly without having to do it yourself | Need to be emptied more regularly (smaller bin capacity) |
| Ideal for the elderly or people with impairments | Best models can be expensive |
| Feature HEPA filters to eliminate airborne allergens and particles | Limited to certain surfaces like hard floors and low pile carpets |
Should you buy a robot vacuum cleaner?
Before you decide whether a robot vacuum is right for you, then consider the following:
- Are you unable to vacuum your home? Whether it’s due to time constraints or physical impairments, robot vacuums may be ideal for households that find it difficult to clean regularly.
- Does your home have wooden or tiled floors? Robot vacuums sometimes struggle on carpets, but they work superbly on hard surfaces. You need to reset your robot vacuum if it gets stuck on deep carpet, which can be extremely annoying. Having hard surfaces all around helps eliminate the chances of this happening.
- Do you want continuous cleaning? For the neat freaks out there, a robot vac might be the perfect solution for everyday cleaning, as you can set it to vacuum on a daily basis so you can keep on top of things in between deep cleans.
- Are you in a small (single story) place? Robot vacuums are ideal for people who live in small houses/apartments, or just want to clean one or two rooms. Larger homes may require several charging stops, which can impact practicality. While homes with stairs will require either multiple robot vacuums (for each floor), or some human help to move the unit up and down stairs.
- Do you own a pet? If you’re a pet owner, you’ll know the struggle of finding your lovable companion’s hair everywhere and the endless cleaning cycle that comes with it. Robot vacuums might not be the best solution for sucking up pet hair, but they’re great at keeping on top of it in between big cleans.
Best robot vacuum cleaners
Below is a small selection of robot vacuum cleaners for you to consider. This is by no means a comprehensive list and you should always do your own research to find the model that suits your needs, and budget, best.
iRobot Roomba s9+ ($2999*)
The latest iteration in iRobot’s flagship Roomba range, the s9+ features a host of impressive features, such as the ability for smart home integration. Simply ask your Roomba to clean under the kitchen table and it’ll be on its way! Plus, the automatic cleaning base allows the s9+ to empty itself for up to 60 days.
The D-shaped design also allows it to get closer to walls and corners than the more traditional disc-shaped devices.
For those looking for something cheaper, the Roomba i7+ and i3+ are great alternatives. They include many of the same features (such as the automatic cleaning base and smart integration) only in a slightly less premium product. Or, for those wanting the works, there is also a range of Roomba Mops that can get to work the moment your robot vac is done!
EcoVacs DeeBot Ozmo T8 Aivi ($1299*)
This all-in-one device is a vacuum and mop all in one! And better yet, it does it simultaneously! It also has a self-emptying docking station option (sold separately), an impressive 180-minute runtime and can clean up to 400m² so it’s perfect for large homes. It also has smart-home integration so can be used with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit.
Roborock S7+ ($1497*)
Another hybrid cleaner, so you can go and get your mopping done all at once. Much like the above, the Roborock s7+ is self-emptying, has an impressive 180-minute runtime and features smart home integration.
Eufy RoboVac 35C ($399*)
A more budget-friendly option, the Eufy RoboVac isn’t on the level of the above devices, but is a great option nonetheless. There’s no mop integration, self-emptying dock station or voice commands. But, it does feature decent cleaning abilities, along with all the necessary features such as fall detection. It doesn’t, however, have the ability to remember a floor plan, so can take a little longer to do the job and is only suitable for smaller homes.
Kogan SmarterHome G50 Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop ($299*)
Not the cheapest robot vacuum money can buy, but close to it. And one of the cheapest that actually does the job! It’s a two-in-one device, which makes it great for hardwood floors, includes the ability to map a floor plan, and is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
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About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Andrew Broadley. Andrew is an experienced writer with a wide range of industry experience. Starting out, he cut his teeth working as a writer for print and online magazines, and he has worked in both journalism and editorial roles. His content has covered lifestyle and culture, marketing and, more recently, finance for Canstar.
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