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The 3 Best Budget Robot Vacuums - Spring 2023 Reviews

Updated
Best Budget Robot Vacuums

Until fairly recently, robot vacuums were out of reach for the average consumer, especially compared to more affordable traditional models. However, the selection of budget-friendly options has grown substantially in the past few years, so there's no shortage of relatively affordable robot vacuums with differing feature sets and designs to better suit your cleaning needs. While many cheaper robot vacuums struggle with some cleaning tasks, especially when clearing bulky material or dealing with messes on carpets, some do at least a fair overall job.

We've tested over 50 robot vacuums, and below are our recommendations for what you can buy as the best cheap robot vacuums. These picks are selected not only based on their price but also their performance and feature set. For more buying recommendations, look at our list of the best robot vacuums for hardwood floors, the best robot vacuums, and the best cheap vacuum cleaners.


  1. Best Budget Robot Vacuum

    The Neato D8 is the best budget robot vacuum that we've tested. It's usually on sale for just a smidge under $200 and packs a substantial punch for the price, with a wide array of features that are often only found on much more expensive models. Unlike most other robot vacuums in its price range, it has a LIDAR sensor that generates a permanent map of your home. You can then use its companion app to schedule cleaning sessions in advance or set up virtual boundary makers so that the vacuum won't enter any tricky-to-clean areas. It also does a good job of maneuvering itself, though its squared-off front end can cause it to get stuck in some tight spots.

    Performance on bare floors is excellent, though it does have a slightly harder time clearing away debris embedded deeply within carpet fibers. Unfortunately, battery performance is unimpressive for a robot vacuum, as it has a max runtime of only 70 minutes when used in its most energy-efficient setting.

    See our review

  2. Best Robot Vacuum Under $150

    If you're looking for a hassle-free way of keeping your floors clean but want to spend as little as possible, the eufy RoboVac 25C is the best robot vacuum under $150 we've tested. Its navigation system is much less advanced than the LIDAR-mapping Neato D8, as it relies on random-pathing to move around a room, leading it to miss some areas while going over others more than once. However, despite its very low price point, this budget-friendly robot vacuum delivers superb performance on bare, even surfaces, though it has a hard time on carpet and struggles with sucking up pet hair. Its companion app is basic but easy to use, and there's little lag when issuing a command with your phone. You can control it without an internet connection using its included remote control, which is great if you have spotty Wi-Fi coverage at home.

    Unfortunately, build quality is unimpressive, as is allergen-sealing performance, as fine particles can blow out of its exhaust. If you're looking for a robot vacuum in a similar price bracket that feels better built, you could also consider the Shark ION Robot RV700 Series. It also features a larger dirt compartment and does a slightly better job maneuvering around obstacles; however, it takes much longer to recharge and has even more parts that need periodic cleaning.

    See our review

  3. Best Robot Vacuum Under $300

    If you're looking for a robot vacuum for just under $300, the Wyze Robot Vacuum is an excellent choice. It's pricier than most other robot vacuums on this list, but that's mostly reflective of its added advantages. Like the Neato D8, it has a LIDAR mapping sensor, allowing for quick and precise room mapping, even in the dark. It pulls ahead of the Neato for maneuverability, as it does a better job of making its way around obstacles like tables or chairs. It also has a much longer max battery life of over two hours, though it takes longer to recharge. You can use its companion app to set up virtual boundary lines and schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms using the coverage map.

    It delivers exceptional performance on bare floors and easily clears away pet hair on most surfaces. Unfortunately, its dirt compartment is also tiny and needs regular emptying, and it isn't compatible with a self-emptying dock. One feature it's missing compared to the cheaper Neato D8 is the latter's automatic suction power adjustment feature, so you'll need to adjust this setting manually on some surfaces. It won't be too big a concern if you live in a home with mostly bare floors.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • iRobot Roomba 694 [690, 692]: The iRobot Roomba 694 is a robot vacuum with a longer runtime than the Neato D8, but performs worse on all surface types, has fewer automation features, and has a smaller dustbin. See our review
  • eufy RoboVac G30: The eufy RoboVac G30 is a fairly basic robot vacuum that you can use without an internet connection. Compared to the Neato D8, it offers inferior cleaning performance and tends to get stuck more frequently. See our review
  • ILIFE A4s: The ILIFE A4s is a budget-friendly robot vacuum that performs well on bare floors. However, unlike the eufy RoboVac 25C, it doesn't have a companion app, limiting overall functionality. See our review
  • yeedi K650: The yeedi K650 is a budget-friendly robot vacuum that outperforms the eufy RoboVac 25C on most surface types, but it can be rather hard to find and incurs higher ownership costs. See our review
  • Roborock E4: The Roborock E4 is an entry-level model in Roborock's product range and has plenty of things going in its favor, with strong performance, good maneuverability, and impressive build quality. However, unlike the Wyze Robot Vacuum, it doesn't have a LIDAR mapping sensor, so you can't set up virtual boundary lines or schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Apr 03, 2023: Swapped eufy RoboVac 25C with Neato D8 as 'Best Budget Robot Vacuum', recategorized eufy RoboVac 25C as 'Best Robot Vacuum Under $150'. Moved Roborock E4 to Notable Mentions due to current pricing.

  2. Jan 30, 2023: Ensured all main picks are still available and represent the best choice for users. Removed less relevant Notable Mentions picks and added iRobot Roomba 694 to Notable Mentions.

  3. Dec 01, 2022: Replaced yeedi K650 with Roborock E4 as 'Best Robot Vacuum Under $200' pick due to current availability. Replaced Roborock E4 with Neato D8 as 'Best Robot Vacuum Under $250' pick due to current pricing. Added eufy RoboVac G30 and yeedi K650 to Notable Mentions.

  4. Oct 04, 2022: Major article restructuring to better align with user requirements. Removed less relevant Notable Mentions picks.

  5. May 25, 2022: Article rewrite to better align with user expectations. Recategorized Roborock E4 as 'Best Budget Robot Vacuum'. Recategorized Wyze Robot Vacuum as 'Best Budget LIDAR Robot Vacuum'. Added eufy Robovac 25C as 'Best Robot Vacuum Under $150'. Added yeedi K650 to Notable Mentions. Removed iRobot Roomba 694 from recommendations.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best cheap robot vacuums for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.

If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our robot vacuum reviews priced under $300. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no vacuum is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.