Top 5 BEST Budget Robot Vacuums in 2024

With no effort on your side, robot vacuums may assist you in getting rid of dust, pet hair, and other debris from your home. Better yet: A few models even empty their own trash cans.Gadgetex can assist you in finding the best robot vacuum for your house. For over years, we have been testing robot vacuums in our own homes. For individuals looking for a completely hands-off assistant, we highly recommend the high-end Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, which boasts powerful cleaning capabilities, AI obstacle avoidance, and exceptional self-maintenance functions. Having said that, every model on this list is excellent and fits a range of purposes and price points, so you may choose the best robot vacuum for you.

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Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 BEST Budget Robot Vacuums in 2024

1.Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum

Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Even though Bissell has been producing upright wet and dry vacuums for a long time, its first multifunctional robot is the SpinWave Wet and Dry. This sturdy vacuum effectively collects dirt from low-pile carpets and hard floors, and it excels at mopping as well. It has two rotating microfiber pads and can accommodate multiple cleaning solutions, so you can effectively remove grime and maintain the original appearance of your floors. Additionally, it has the ability to recognize and steer clear of carpets and area rugs when mopping—a feature that is usually reserved for much more expensive machines. Although it doesn’t enable voice control or home mapping, it performs better than any other 2-in-1 robot in this price range, winning our Editors’ Choice award.

The SpinWave is a pretty common robot vacuum size, measuring 3.25 inches in height and 12.25 inches in circumference. It’s one of the prettier ones I’ve seen; in fact, I kind of like the all-white look, since it goes with my decor much better than the majority of robot vacuums, which are usually gray, blue, or black.

Two tanks are included with the robot: one for mopping and one for vacuuming. Using a cleaning solution or merely water, the two rotating circular mop pads on the bottom of the wet tank can be used to scrub hard floors. Bissell manufactures a variety of mopping solutions, including as multi-surface, pet multi-surface with Febreze, and sanitizing formulae.

According to Bissell, you should only use its brand of cleaning products because using other brands could damage the robot and void the warranty. An 8-ounce container of multi-surface floor cleaner, an additional set of reusable mop pads and edge-cleaning brushes, and an extra dustbin filter are all included in the SpinWave package.

According to Bissell, the charging dock should be positioned at least 40 inches across from everything and 40 inches away from any objects on each side. After positioning and plugging in the charging dock, place the robot on the floor, activate it using the side switch, and place it on the docking station. It takes four to five hours for the first charge.

You may download and connect the robot to its companion app to operate it from your phone while you wait for it to charge. To utilize all of the modes and capabilities of the SpinWave, you will need to use the app as there isn’t a separate remote control included.

2.iRobot Braava Jet m6

Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Robotic vacuum cleaners are a complex idea. In return for a little household assistance, would you be willing to take the chance of wetting your rugs? In our study of the iRobot Braava jet m6, we discovered that this particular machine is excellent at following instructions and truly cleaning the floors. The Braava Jet M6 is the greatest robot mop available today thanks to its strong mapping capabilities and effective wet and dry sweeping (imagine Swiffering instead of vacuuming).

Now selling for $499.99 at Amazon, BestBuy, and other major stores is the iRobot Braava jet m6. In addition to the robot mop and dock, the package includes a trial-size bottle of iRobot brand hard floor cleaning solution, two disposable dry cleaning pads, two disposable wet cleaning pads, and one washable (reusable) wet cleaning pad.

The iRobot Braava jet m6 and the Roomba s9+ have the same high-end design cues, including a central disc with a metallic color. The 10.6-inch square Braava jet m6 is dressed in matte white with a silver circle in the center that hides the detachable water tank, in contrast to the Roomba s9’s black and gold color design. When you compare the robot cleaning power pair, they look like quite the attractive pair.

The Braava jet m6 looks positively futuristic, forgoing shiny plastics in favor of a more understated aesthetic. In contrast, the Braava jet 240, measuring 6.7 inches by 7 inches and 3.3 inches high, almost looks like a child toy. The front of the Braava jet m6 is made up of a large bumper that houses the spray nozzle and pad eject button. A cleverly hidden grip handle sits in the recess just behind the front bumper, and to the right of the handle is a large “Clean” button, situated between a home button and a spot clean button.

Two rubber wheels, a number of sensors, the pad holder, and the reader are located on the underside of. For all cleaning tasks, the Braava Jet M6 employs unique pads that are exclusive to this model and not just to iRobot. iRobot is pleased to sell you replacement pads, as you might anticipate. For you may get a pack of seven disposable pads. Pads that are washable and reusable can be purchased in pairs for. Both the disposable and reusable versions of the dry and wet pads were put to the test. We found that the washable pads felt more durable after a few runs. Specifically, compared to the disposable version, the reusable dry sweeping pad appeared to catch more particles. Place the pads in the washing machine to clean them.

3.iRobot Roomba Combo Essential

Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

A cost-effective robot vacuum and mop combination, the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential has a few helpful improvements over its predecessor, the Roomba 694. Among its many features are an attachable mop pad, enhanced suction power, and intelligent navigation. It outperformed versions that cost a lot more in testing, demonstrating proficiency in both vacuuming and mopping. It enables voice and app control, but it does not include smart mapping technology for personalized zone cleaning or the ease of a self-emptying dustbin. Thus, even though it is quite basic, the Roomba Combo Essential performs admirably considering its affordable price, making it our Editors’ Choice for robot vacuums that are suitable for beginners.

In order to replace its entry-level Roomba 600 series, iRobot introduced the Roomba Combo Essential coupled with the vacuum-only Roomba Vac Essential. In addition to mopping capabilities, the hybrid Combo Essential costs the same as the vacuum-only Roomba 694 and has additional features including enhanced navigation, 20 times more suction power, and 25% better hardwood pickup, according to iRobot.

It can be difficult to distinguish between Roombas because iRobot produces a wide variety of them and frequently updates their lineup. Generally speaking, Roombas with the moniker Combo vacuum and mop, and those with a + sign indicate that they are self-emptying. Higher-end models in the j series, such as the Combo j9+, use a retractable mop to clean hardwood floors and carpets in a single pass without getting the latter wet. The j series also incorporates a camera for obstacle avoidance. The most autonomous model in iRobot’s portfolio is the Roomba Combo 10 Max + Auto Wash Dock, which can wash and dry its own mop pads in addition to emptying its trash.

It makes sense that the Combo Essential lacks several luxuries, such computer vision-powered obstacle avoidance and self-maintenance capabilities, considering that it costs a small portion of what high-end robot floor cleaners from Roomba and its rivals cost. Its more expensive siblings are able to maneuver around obstacles with greater agility, so you’ll want to keep your floor somewhat clutter-free.

Your carpeted floors must be blocked off during a mopping run, or you can physically separate the mop pad for a vacuum-only run. A cleaning liquid reservoir housed inside the robot’s dustbin may carry enough water to mop up to 500 square feet in a single pass. You will have to manually empty the trash can, clean the mop pad, and replenish the mop water reservoir in between mop runs.

4.iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO-

Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The creation of robot vacuums that are capable of emptying their own trash cans is one of the greatest technological advances in the industry in recent years. Not only do they provide greater convenience than conventional models, but they also drastically reduce dust exposure, which is very beneficial if you have allergies. But the average cost of a vacuum with this capability is over, which is far more than most people can afford. That’s why the Roomba i3+ EVO, which is iRobot’s most economical model with a self-emptying dustbin, is so enticing at. Although its smart mapping features are limited to a single floor and its battery life isn’t particularly impressive, it might be the best option for you based on your demands and budget.

Before falling into the bag, the debris leaves the dustbin and passes through an evacuation tube in the Clean Base. One bag is preloaded on the Clean Base, and an additional one is included in the package. You can purchase a pack of three for 9 when you run out. The bag is made of four layers of allergen-blocking material, according to iRobot, which enables it to capture 99 percent of mold and pollen. The Clean Base is somewhat of an eyesore as a trade-off. It’s significantly bigger than a typical robot vacuum docking station, measuring about 19 by 12 by 15 inches (HWD).

The top of the i3+ EVO is composed of three buttons: a sizable Clean/Power button in the center, with Home and Spot Clean buttons on either side. The Light Ring Indicator, which surrounds the Clean/Power button, is mostly off but pulses white during charging, solid white upon full charge, pulses red when the battery is low, flashes blue during Dirt Detect mode (more on this below), and shines blue during the Clean Base search.

The i3+ EVO robot vacuum has a textured, matte, gray finish on top that minimizes fingerprints and appears nearly like cloth, unlike some robot vacuums with shiny mirrored tops that show dust. It also contains a Light Touch sensor on the front that identifies barriers like walls and a Room Confinement (RCON) sensor on top that enables it to recognize its Clean Base.

The i3+ EVO includes one edge-sweeping brush and two lengthy multi-surface brushes that cooperate on the bottom. It features a Floor Tracking sensor to assist it in cleaning in orderly rows rather than in a bumper car-like manner and four Cliff sensors to keep it from going down the stairs. The dustbin has a high-efficiency filter that, according to iRobot, can remove 99 percent of allergens from cats and dogs as well as mildew, pollen, and dust mites. One filter is already placed when you buy it, and there is an additional one in the package.

5.Eufy RoboVac 11s

Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Unlike some other smart home companies, Eufy’s USP is producing simple-to-use devices. It may be a firm that specializes in the best video doorbells and home security cameras outside robot vacuums. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the RoboVac 11S, one of its entry-level models, is incredibly easy to use. Only a charging station, remote control, and a stylish, slimline vacuum cleaner are included—no app, WiFi, or voice control.

That being said, it’s not a simple appliance. Its outstanding functioning and well-thought-out design are largely responsible for its simplicity; there’s just enough variation to let you to choose between spot, overall, and perimeter cleaning, as well as three power settings, without becoming overly complicated. By using a programmed timer,you can quite easily set it and forget it.

Another incentive to choose for RoboVac 11S is that, at 2.8 inches / 7.25 cm height, it is Eufy’s slimmest RoboVac, making it able to hide beneath beds and other furniture and ward off dust bunnies. Furthermore, despite its diminutive size, a 0.15-gallon/0.6-liter dust canister is concealed inside.

The Eufy RoboVac 11S does well at gathering larger debris and fine dust from hard surfaces, but it has trouble providing a thorough deep clean for medium and thick pile carpets. The robot vacuum from Eufy says it can run for 100 minutes between charges when it is in Standard mode on a hard floor.

Additionally, the robot vacuum has a BoostIQ mode that alternates between high and low power when it moves from carpet to hard floors. However, this mode reduces battery life to 60 minutes, whereas the battery lasts only 50 minutes when in Max Mode. All of this implies that it can malfunction before the task is finished if it is exposed to extremely dusty or unclean larger floors.

The best robot vacuum for beginners and technophobes is the Eufy RoboVac 11S. It doesn’t have a ton of functions that could make using the robot vacuum more difficult, but it is good at light daily cleaning of huge areas.

Nothing about the Eufy RoboVac 11S is bulky. It can move beneath low-hanging furniture because it is only 2.85 inches/7.25 cm from the floor. At 5.73 lbs./2.6 kg, it is also lightweight enough to be carried from room to room if necessary. Comparably small, at 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm in width, the charging station has a back recess to store extra cable. The charging station, like many robot vacuums, requires some space to be free from walls on either side, although this should be simple given how little the station is.

Its simple design includes an on-off switch located beneath the device for a more permanent turn-off, a single button to wake it up, toughened black glass, and infrared sensors.A 14.5 cm rolling brush is twinned with two counter-rotating side brushes underneath. The robot vacuum’s 0.15-gallon/0.6-liter dust box easily slips out from the back. However, there isn’t a warning sign to let you know when it needs to be emptied; instead, we’ve found that the greatest indicator is if the vacuum isn’t cleaning up as much hair as it usually does.

It’s simple to use straight out of the box; just clip on the side brushes, charge it, and you’re good to go. There are five distinct cleaning modes: Spot, which cleans specific areas, Edge, which cleans the perimeter walls for 20 minutes, and Auto, which makes sure the robot vacuum pottles from room to room cleaning as it goes. These are joined by Single Room, which unsurprisingly will clean just one room, and Manual, where you can use the directional buttons on the remote to tell it where you want it to go – back, forward, right, or left.

The Eufy 11S also offers three power levels – Standard, BoostIQ, which uses a mix of Standard and Max when moving between hard floors and carpet, although this only works in Auto or Single Room cleaning mode, and Max.

How to choose the best budget robot vacuum for you

When searching for the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for your needs, there are a number of factors to consider.

Nobody wants a robot vacuum that runs out of power midway through cleaning their house, so it’s crucial to think about battery life in addition to selecting between a vacuum and a mop. Look for robot vacuums with large dust canisters or ones that empty their dust bins if you have a lot of floor space to clean. These models allow you to clean your floors without assistance.

Certain robot vacuums follow a deliberate path across your floors to make sure the vacuuming is done quickly and effectively. But these are typically more costly than robot vacuums that use a random route when cleaning your floors.

Frequently asked questions

Are robot vacuums worth it?

We won’t deny that robot vacuums can be more costly than upright or cordless models, but they are also frequently smarter, and part of the cost is undoubtedly the ease of not having to vacuum yourself or worry about how often to do it. For individuals who lead hectic lives and lack the time to clean their home, robot vacuums are a great option. Because all you have to do is turn them on, they also provide a decent substitute for people who have trouble moving around. We also know a few satisfied customers who have ADHD and who have found its scheduling features to be true game-changers. Many robot vacuums can now be programmed from your phone, allowing you to choose between these gadgets.

Do robot vacuums work on pet hair?

Many of the top robot vacuums on this list and other models we’ve tested are good at gathering bigger debris, pet hair, and fine dust off of floors, just like other types of vacuums.

If you have thick-pile carpets or rugs, models with Boost or Turbo mode are great since they allow you to momentarily boost the suction power, guaranteeing that after cleaning, no fur is left behind.

To prevent pet hair from being stuck around the brushes, the ideal models to select are those with rubber brushes devoid of bristles. That’s not to suggest bristle brush bar robot vacuums aren’t just as good at gathering hair. If you decide on one of these, search for a design that includes a pet removal tool.

How do robot vacuums work?

Robotic vacuums are equipped with an array of brushes on their undersides, which collectively gather any dust or debris they come into touch with. The dust cup, which is attached to the vacuum’s body, is subsequently filled with the dirt. The majority have smaller brushes attached, which stick out past the vacuum’s perimeter and are used to pick up dirt that has collected in difficult spots or up against baseboards.

Robot vacuums with higher levels of sophistication have lasers on both the front and underneath of the apparatus. These lasers help minimize bumps in your home by identifying furniture, objects, and edges. Cliff detection also keeps the machine from falling down the stairs. Check out our piece on how do robot vacuums work to find out more.