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The best robot vacuums: Roomba, Roborock, and DreameBot models compared
ZDNET Recommends
I've been diligently searching for the best robot vacuums that can tackle dog hair, kitty litter, ridiculous amounts of dirt, and everything in between.
My German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and kitty do an incredible job of dirtying my house, and it's exhausting trying to keep up with the dirt and hair. I've tested several robot vacuums that I love, along with others that failed to impress me. Below are the highlights of my extensive testing.
Also: The best robot vacuum and mop combos: 2-in-1 cleaning machines
- Self-emptying
- Intelligent
- Auto-empty base
- Easy-to-use app
- Loud
- Unimpressive battery life
Roomba j7+ features: PrecisionVision Navigation | P.O.O.P. guarantee | Easy robot integration
The Roomba j7+ is one of my favorite robot vacuums to use throughout my house, whether on carpet, tile, or rugs. After a few initial runs, the j7+ can map a home's layout. Next, you can go to the iRobot app and choose your cleaning method. You can select which rooms you want to be cleaned, in what order, and how many times you want each room cleaned.
There aren't many robot vacuums that I trust to remove ingrained pet hair from my carpet, but the j7+ is an exception to that rule. It gets a full run of my house, and it does a great job on different floor surfaces. What sets Roomba vacuums apart from others is intelligence. The j7+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation to recognize and avoid common household objects like socks, cords, shoes, and pet waste.
Review: Roomba j7+ review: A life-changing robot vacuum
If you're a new pet owner, iRobot's P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee will make you feel comfortable enough to leave your Roomba j7+ and pet in the same area. I love knowing that, no matter what my house looks like, I can send the j7+ out to clean and it won't suck up something that it shouldn't. The peace of mind is worth every single penny.
The Roomba j7+ doesn't have mopping capabilities, but it does pair beautifully with the Braava Jet m6. The two iRobot products use the same technology to tag team your vacuuming and mopping needs. I tested both of these robots out, so be sure to check out my full reviews.
- 6,000 Pa suction
- Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance
- Stress-free system
- Expensive
- Only empties the dust bin at the end of the job
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra features: Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance | 6000Pa suction power | Empty wash fill dock
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is a two-in-one device where you get what you pay for, and with a hefty price tag I can assure you that your floors will shine after every use with this robot. Once you receive your S8 Pro Ultra, you'll assemble the hefty docking station and begin letting the robot understand your home's layout. The Roborock will develop a 2D, 3D, or matrix layout so you can tell the robot specifically which rooms or areas you want cleaned. Because it is a two-in-one machine, you may be worried about your rugs or carpets, but the S8 Pro Ultra is an impressive piece of equipment. The VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System lifts the mop head up completely to keep your rugs and carpet dry.
I mentioned that hefty docking station earlier, but there's a reason it's large. Not only does the Empty Wash Fill dock charge the S8 Pro Ultra, but it auto empties the robot after vacuuming, washes the mop pad in the middle of a cleaning job and after a job is completed, and even refills the water tank during cleanup for a mopping range of up to 3230 square feet. Once the robot leaves the docking station, the vacuum has a 6000Pa suction power to vacuum up all of your dog hair, dirt, and more while the VibraRise 2.0 sonic vibration technology scrubs your floor up to 3,000 times per minute. The vibration technology is what sets this two-in-one machine apart from others. It truly scrubs your floors clean just like you would with a manual mop.
Review: Roborock's new 2-in-1 vacuum is expensive, but my floors tell me it's worth every penny
- Long battery life
- Quiet auto empty base
- 4,000PA suction
- Subpar mopping functionality
- No object detection
DreameBot D10 Plus features: LiDAR navigation | 5,200mAh battery
If you're wanting a robot vacuum that has LiDAR technology, an auto-empty base, and high suction power, but don't want to spend a ton of money, the DreameBot D10 Plus sits at $500 but you can usually catch a sale to get all of this technology for $400. Once you order and receive your unit, you'll send the D10 Plus on a mapping run. The LiDAR navigation had a solid map and understanding of my house after one run, which is almost never the case for other vacs I've tested. There aren't many robot vacuums I let clean my carpets, but the 4,000PA suction does a great job of getting that ingrained dog hair out of my carpet fibers and leaves some very satisfying carpet lines. After the D10 Plus completes a job, it will navigate back to its auto-empty base where it will quietly suction out the dirt and debris from the vacuum into a bag. And when I say quietly, I mean quietly. This is the quietest auto-empty base I have tested to date. ZDNET's Matthew Miller says that he "continues to be amazed by the reliability and effectiveness of the DreameBot D10 Plus."
At $400, you'll be giving up some features that other higher-end robot vacuums offer. For starters, the mopping functionality of the D10 Plus is subpar and not a feature that I would recommend using. The vacuum alone is worth the price though, so don't let that deter you from going with this unit. The DreameBot D10 Plus also doesn't come with object detection or avoidance, so if you're someone who doesn't have time to pick up shoes, cords, or other items each time you turn the robot on, you may want to look in another direction. But for me, taking a couple of minutes to pick things up not only benefits the D10 Plus, but makes me tidy up my home as well.
ZDNET's Matthew Miller tested the DreameBot D10 Plus so be sure to check out his full review below.
Review: Dreamebot's self-emptying robot vac comes with a dreamy price tag
- D-shaped design to clean corners
- Incredible suction power
- Auto empty base
- Expensive
- Battery life
Roomba s9+ features: 30% wider dual multi-surface rubber brushes | Delivers 40x power-lifting suction | Dirt Detect technology
If you're like me and have a lot of dog hair laying around, I promise if you invest in the Roomba s9+ you won't be disappointed. This is Roomba's most powerful robot vacuum to date and comes in a D-shaped design, allowing the robot to fit in the corners of your home. Once the s9+ gets going, the dual multi-surface brushes suck up everything in their paths. Even on carpet, the ingrained dog hair and dirt get sucked away and into the robot. As an iRobot vacuum, you can rest assured knowing the AI inside the s9+ can recognize shoes, socks, cords, and more. And Roomba does a great job keeping your devices up to date, so they're always learning and getting smarter through continued software updates.
The s9+ comes with an auto-empty base that doubles as a charging station, so once the robot picks up all of your dirt and debris, it's sucked right into an enclosed bag so it stays trapped away. The s9+'s auto-empty base is much smaller than the j7+'s, making it easier to be tucked away and blend in with your home decor.
Because this is an iRobot device, the Roomba s9+ will pair with the Braava jet m6 to completely clean your floors.
- Great suction power
- 120 minute run time
- No mapping ability
- Doesn't alert when full
Shark ION AV751 features: Tri-brush system | Stair/cliff edge detection | Alexa and Google Assistant integrated
If you're someone who is overwhelmed by all of the technology and features that come with several of the new robot vacuums, this Shark ION is a great option for you. You don't even need the app to get this robot vac going, you can simply press the Clean button and it's off. The tech inside is minimal -- this Shark doesn't map where it's been or have the AI capabilities to avoid cables or shoes, but it makes up for it with its suction power. You'll want to keep in mind by not having mapping capabilities, it quite literally just drives around and may clean the same room over and over. From my experience, though, running the AV751 daily kept my entire house clean. One day it may clean my kitchen and living room and the next day it may clean my laundry room and bathroom. The important thing was the Shark was able to keep up with my two dogs and cat, which is a massive task.
The Shark ION Av751 does not come with an auto-empty base, so you will manually have to dump the dirt and debris into the trash can. But, that means the charging station is significantly smaller than a lot of other robot vacs on the market. Shark is a brand name most know and trust in the cleaning industry, so you can rest assured that this budget-friendly option will be a safe one.
Review: Shark ION Robot Vacuum AV751 review: Great suction for a cheap vac
What is the best robot vacuum?
The Roomba j7+ is far and away the smartest, most advanced robot vacuum on the market that I have tested. Its PrecisionVision navigation ensures that it's cleaning the rooms you want cleaned and gathering an accurate map of your house. The ability to add Cleaning zones for particularly dirty areas or Keep Out zones where you may not want the robot to go is an added bonus. Pet parents everywhere can agree that the P.O.O.P. guarantee will help them sleep easier at night, knowing their home will get vacuumed without smearing through any accidents. And of course, being a Roomba device, you know that the robots are always getting new software updates so your robot vacuum is always getting smarter.
What is the right robot vacuum for you?
After testing numerous robot vacuums, the one feature that separates the devices the most is how intelligent they are. Some individuals are looking for a hands-off approach, they want to set a schedule in the app and not have to worry or think about the robot for weeks at a time. Others may not be that comfortable with tech or simply want to have more control of where and when the robot is running. Both are reasonable expectations, but you'll be buying two different vacuums.
Choose this robot vacuum… | If you need… |
Roomba j7+ | A highly intelligent, AI-driven vacuum. With its ability to recognize up to 80 household objects, your home will get cleaned while your cords and shoes aren't bothered. |
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra | The ability to vacuum every surface type in your home, while mopping hardwood/tile/laminate flooring. It's truly an all-in-one machine that will keep your home clean with the touch of a button in the app. |
DreameBot D10 Plus | Mapping capability but aren't worried about object detection. This robot would work well in a home that's always tidy. |
Roomba s9+ | A vacuum to tackle excessive pet hair, dirt, and debris. It's Roomba's best suctioning robot on the market. |
Shark ION AV751 | A simple robot vacuum without all of the bells and whistles. This can be a very underwhelming option for individuals who aren't needing a lot of technology. |
How did I choose these robot vacuums?
Here at ZDNET, I've been reviewing and putting robot vacuums through real-world tests. I don't run the devices through a lab and do simulated dirt testing, instead, I bring these robots into my home and see how they hold up in everyday, real-life situations. By doing this, you can trust my opinion to know exactly which device is best for you and your lifestyle.
When choosing which devices to review, I like to pick robot vacs from all price points to be inclusive to every budget. I know the newlywed couple may not have $800 to spend on a vacuum, but are still needing a budget-friendly option to keep up with their new furry friend while the busy, on-the-go family of five may have a little more budget room to invest in a robot they don't have to worry about.
What is the best self-emptying robot vacuum?
The technology has come a long way since auto-emptying bases were first introduced. That being said, they all have seemingly worked out the kinks and work well. In my testing experience, I haven't had auto-empty base issues. The only thing I would keep in mind is to make sure your self-emptying base is equipped with disposable bags to capture and hold all of the dirt and debris. It makes cleaning up that much easier and ensures that once the dirt is vacuumed up, it isn't being let back out into your home. Once the bag is full, you'll simply pull it away, throw it in the trash, and put in a brand new bag.
Is it worth buying a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop?
In my testing experience, you get what you pay for with two-in-one machines. I don't like robot mops that don't use a cleaning solution. My floors are dirty enough that simply pushing around water doesn't get anything cleaned. When looking at purchasing a two-in-one machine, be sure to see what the recommended cleaning solution is. If the manufacturer only wants you to use water, I personally would steer clear.
You also want to make sure the robot comes with the AI technology that can differentiate carpet from hardwood flooring. It is not worth guarding your favorite rugs every time you use the machine to keep the robot from ruining them. Both Roomba and Roborock do an excellent job of this.
Do robot vacuums work well on carpets?
If you have a lot of carpet and rugs in your home, you're going to want to look for a robot vacuum that has a higher suction power, or Pa (Pascal Pressure Unit). The higher the Pa, the better the suction power is. For example, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra has a 5,100 Pa while the DreameBot D10 Plus has a 4,000Pa.
Are there alternative robot vacuums worth considering?
There are hundreds of robot vacuums on the market, so naturally, I couldn't include all of the top performers. Here are a few standouts:
Another option
Roborock Q5+ - A name-brand, cheaper option
You really can't go wrong with any device from Roborock, and that includes the Q5+. With its auto dust emptying base and 2700Pa suction, you can get a lot of the higher-end robot vacuum features for a cheaper price.
A robot mop companion
Braava Jet m6
If you've bought a robot vacuum and can't believe the difference it's made, you may want to consider adding a robot mop to your home. The Braava Jet m6 pairs beautifully with any Roomba robot, but could work very well independently as well. The Precision Jet Spray ensures your floor is soaked in plenty of cleaning solution while the vSLAM navigation keeps the robot from going over your rugs or carpet.