Best Robot Vacuum 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Eufy are seen as the biggest rival to the likes of Miele and iRobot, having come onto the market with more affordable options which still gave you all of the basics. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, then telling you it was created by the same team as Anker should clear some things up.

This particular model is still a great price, but a lot more advanced than their first few models. It was awarded the “Best Robot Vacuum of 2018″ title by various tech mags, and definitely gives the big guns a run for their money.

BoostIQ Technology automatically increases suction power within 1.5 seconds when extra vacuuming strength is needed to get the best clean, so it is clever at assessing the job at hand. It is only 2.85” tall, so will be able to get under your furniture with ease.

It returns to its docking station when the battery is running out which saves you the hassle of having to go on a Vac Hunt. Battery life is around 90 minutes which is a nice amount for getting the job done. The side brushes, rolling brush and powerful suction work together to make a difference.

There are around 100 minutes of cleaning on the standard mode which is good for hard floors, and when in BoostIQ mode (for carpeting) provides approximately 60 minutes of cleaning. The ability to tackle both surfaces with just one product is very good.

An update for the RX1, which was Miele’s first robotic vacuum, but didn’t take the market by storm the way their other vacuums have. So when the RX2 was released, we thought they’d have made some big changes to appeal to the masses. We weren’t wrong.

We liked the RX1, saying that there weren’t really any faults or issues, other than the fact it sometimes got stuck if the room was messy, and that it didn’t have the suction power of a manual upright. These aren’t surprising faults, and quite common with robotic models, but updates make the RX2 a worthy entry onto our list.

It has Quattro Cleaning Power’s four special features. Swing-out side brushes carry coarse dirt under the appliance, while a roller brush then catches the dirt and carries it to the front suction opening. The rear suction opening makes sure that fine dirt is removed thoroughly. A powerful fan ensures the dirt then lands in the dust box, to be emptied frequently.

Turbo mode gives you the option of a quicker clean, using the same paths as usual but more spaced out for rapid cleaning. It picks up all sorts of bits and pieces, from biscuit crumbs to dog hairs and general dust and dirt, making it one of the best robotic vacuum cleaners on the market at the moment. It is also able to negotiate height differences of up to 17mm, so is ideal for rooms with rugs.

Auto mode lets you leave it to its own devices, cleaning all accessible rooms. If the charge runs out, it will return to its base automatically and continue again once ready after charging for 150 minutes. The remote control and smartphone app will allow you to take control if you want it to do certain things.

It is rated A for dust pickup on hard floors and C for carpets, so it is definitely better if you have the former. But it is one of the few robot vacuums which are almost capable of replacing your upright, so if mess is usually at a minimum in your home anyway, it could mean a vacuuming-free life for you.

From one single charge, you can get up to 75 minutes of running time with this robotic vacuum cleaner. Perfect for covering one floor of the home at the very least.

If you’re worried about it missing all those crumbs and dog hairs which manage to find themselves right to the edge of your flooring, then multi-surface EdgeSweep™ brushes have you covered. They reach right up to your skirting boards to guarantee a more thorough clean.

iAdapt™ Navigation ensures it doesn’t bang into anything, from settees to coffee table legs and your ornamental plants. Then there is an Imprint™ Smart Mapping system, which learns the layouts and dimensions of each room and stores this data. As they are saved by name, you can simply ask it to clean the living room next time it needs vacuuming, and it’ll go straight there, giving it all the attention.

With a robot vacuum cleaner, the worst part of using it is definitely emptying the dust compartment at the end. But thanks to the Clean Base™ dirt disposal unit, it can be emptied up to 30 times without the unit needing a clean.

Just as with every other product of its type, this unit does need emptying rather frequently, especially when comparing to an upright. Thankfully, it is an easy process though. It still isn’t one which can replace weekly vacuuming but is still one of the more advanced out there hence the price tag.

Robot vacuum cleaners are both space and time saving, and the Smart navigation feature of this machine means it can get to work with little surveillance. With a huge 120-minute battery life, it can easily cover a lot of ground.

There are an integrated gyro sensor and a high-quality digital camera on board, which registers all movements and continually scans the ceiling to ensure all area of the room is covered. There are also seven infra-red sensors which persistently scan the 180° area in front so as not to cause any collisions and three sensors which safeguard it from tumbling down any steps. It is also able to handle any height differences of up to 2cm, so any rugs which are in its path won’t be overlooked.

Two long brushes around the outside of the device pick up any debris sitting on the edge of the room or furniture, which is then pushed towards the centre of the appliance. From here, it is picked up by a beater bar and fan and transported into an internal dust box. The inclusion of an AirClean filter makes sure even the smallest dust particles are taken care of. The Scout RX1 features a timer, so you can set the machine to start working and have the job done before you return home from work. It is very quiet, so will not disturb you even if you are in the same room.

Although it is not substantial enough to replace your powerful non-robotic cleaner, it is a good option for those in-between dust-busting cleans.

If you have only hard floors in your home, sometimes a vacuum isn’t the most ideal option. You’ll glance over once it is done and realise you still have to go over some of the tougher dirt with a mop or cloth.

So an intelligent mopping robot, which collects dirt on the pads and wipes away stains, could take away some of that worry. It will cope with hardwood, tile and stone in kitchens, bathrooms, and other small spaces, no matter how difficult they are to navigate, whether it be under a table, around cabinets or around the loo.

The Braava automatically selects the correct cleaning mode based on the fitted jet pad type, choosing from wet mopping, damp sweeping and dry sweeping. So before you set it to go, you can assess the situation and pick the best for the job.

You won’t find it abandoned in the middle of the room as it returns itself to the starting point after it is done and turns itself off. If it encounters a problem it will also shut down to avoid further damage.

It isn’t overly extremely pricey, which is good as you have to bear in mind that you’ll have replacement pads to buy. But it still is far off being a replacement for your manual mopping, unfortunately. It does collect the dirt as opposed to vacuuming it and collecting it in a bin, but this still makes it easier to get rid of. As a plus, at least it is quiet.

We would say it is the best mopping robot vacuum out there, although don’t expect perfection.

If you want a smart robot vacuum cleaner, then this WiFi-enabled option is a great choice.

Firstly, its unique D-shape design makes it easier to get into all those hard to reach edges and corners, rather than the traditional round design. Using LaserSmart navigation, it scans the room and detects the areas most in need of attention, as well as avoiding furniture and other obstacles.

The Botvac Connected app lets you control it from anywhere. So if you are at work and fancy the floor being clean for when you return home, simply power it on. You can also set schedules, and it will give you notifications. Or, you can ask it to clean one area twice for an extra boost. Just look at the coverage map to see where has been attended to already, from the past 21 cleans.

It is great at picking up pet hairs and has two different modes depending on the level of clean needed. Eco mode saves energy and is quieter, whereas Turbo mode is a lot more powerful and will tackle trickier tasks.

The lithium-ion battery lasts longer than a lot of other models we reviewed, and it will return itself to the charging dock when needed. The dust collection bin is also on the more generous side.

Thanks to bagless cleaning and 75 minutes of run time from a single charge, cleaning your floors has never been quite so simple.

An iAdapt® 2.0 navigation system remembers where it’s been in your rooms, so it won’t waste the battery life going over the same spot in your room over and over again. Every inch of dirt will be collected. When it needs a boost or a rest, it can take itself to the charging point, do the job, and then pick up where it left off again.

If you do want to give it some instructions, then the iRobot Home app allows you to control it from anywhere. Whether it be your sofa, while your in the bath or the same time every single day when you’re at work, just tell it to get going or set a schedule.

Cliff detection sensors should keep it safe if you have split-level rooms or are doing the landing. It is also pretty quiet when in use; you certainly won’t notice it over the TV or talking.

The dust compartment isn’t huge, and it can fill rather quickly, so while it can indeed be left to its own devices, this needs frequently emptying which can stop it in its tracks. It is quite shallow in height so can get under the sofas, chairs and tables which may otherwise be neglected, so naturally can fill up a lot.

Having said that, it is a minor issue and does not change our minds about the fact it is one of the most efficient robot cleaners on the market.

With a wide brush to minimise trapping rugs and two side brushes, this Deik robotic vacuum will collect most things in its path thanks to the powerful suction.

There are five in-built cleaning modes – the new S-shaped route enabled by a built-in gyro sensor, auto cleaning, spot cleaning, wall follow cleaning and Turbo boost cleaning. So whatever the cleaning needed or shape of your room, the vacuum can optimise its cleaning technique and adapt.

The sensors have also been improved compared to older models, so there is less chance of it bumping into any furniture and walls as it moves. It can also sense a change in floor materials, adjusting its height and power moving to laminate and hardwood from carpets or rugs.

If you want it to work at certain times in the week, such as 9pm every weeknight, simply programme the settings. It will return itself to the charging bay when needed, and the larger than usual 900ml dustbin means it can go for longer before being filled.

There is a HEPA filter included for anybody with allergies.