The 4 Best Budget Robot Vacuums - Winter 2023 Reviews

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 budget robot vacuum we've tested. 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 by using its included remote control, which is great if you have spotty Wi-Fi coverage at home.

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, though it takes much longer to recharge and has even more parts that need periodic cleaning.

Look at the Roborock E4 if you're willing to spend a little more on a robot vacuum. Compared to the cheaper eufy RoboVac 25C, its twin internal gyroscopes and OpticEye camera-based motion tracking sensor allow it to chart its position in real-time, allowing for far more comprehensive, efficient room coverage, though it doesn't store a permanent map of its coverage area. It also does a great job of maneuvering itself, as it can easily negotiate its way around obstacles like couches or chairs and cleans in an organized, thorough manner. Unlike the eufy, it comes with a high-efficiency filter that's at least somewhat effective in sealing in fine allergens.

It delivers alright overall performance on low and high-pile carpet and performs exceptionally well on bare surfaces. Unusually for a vacuum at this price point, it has a surface detection feature that lets it automatically adjust its suction power to suit different surface types. However, there's no included remote control that would allow you to use most of its features without an internet connection.

If you feel comfortable spending a bit more on a robot vacuum, the Neato D8 is worth a look. It's usually on sale for a little under $250 and packs a pretty substantial punch for the price, with a wide array of features that are usually only found on much pricier models. Unlike the Roborock E4, it has a LIDAR mapping system which allows it to precisely plot out its coverage area so that you can schedule cleaning sessions for specific rooms or set up virtual boundary makers in its coverage map so that the vacuum won't cross. It also does a pretty 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.

If you're looking for a robot vacuum for just under $300, it's hard to go wrong with the Wyze Robot Vacuum. It's a little more expensive than most other robot vacuums on this list, but like the Neato D8, it does have a LIDAR mapping sensor, which allows for quick and precise room mapping, even in the dark. It pulls ahead of the Neato in terms of maneuverability, as it does a better job of maneuvering itself around obstacles like tables or chairs and cleans in an organized pattern of straight lines. It also has a much longer max battery life of over two hours, though it does take a lot 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, one feature it's missing compared to the cheaper Roborock E4 is the latter's self-adjusting suction power feature, so you'll need to adjust this setting manually on some surfaces. Its dirt compartment is also tiny and needs regular emptying.