The Best Robot Vacuums Under $400, use super-intelligent navigation technology, collect a significant amount of dirt, and operate practically autonomously.
Given the popularity of robot vacuums, there are numerous models available on the market. We examined the best-rated and most-reviewed robot vacuums on the market and came up with a list of five that wowed us with their cleaning power, mapping ability, and battery capacity.
Reviews
Nowadays, automatic garbage emptying is becoming a standard feature of robot vacuums. The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE differs from previous self-emptying robot vacuums in that it transfers the contents of its bin into a bag.
The Shark IQ Robot XL is particularly notable for its self-cleaning brush roll, which in our tests prevented hair from becoming entangled in it, which is a common problem with many robot vacuums. It also possessed a strong suction, removing dust, debris, and pet hair from hard surfaces and carpets without becoming trapped. It has a number of clever features, like house mapping for targeted room cleaning and virtual no-go zones.
It contains two dustbins: one in the robot and one in the base station, which only needs to be emptied once a month. You never have to worry about running out of bags with Shark’s bagless auto-empty technology.
PROs
- It comes with a bagless, self-emptying base and a self-cleaning brush roll
- Scheduling, area cleaning, and virtual no-go zones are all supported
- Alexa and Google Assistant are both supported
- There is a physical boundary strip included
- Never got bogged down in testing
CONs
- Average battery life
- It can get quite noisy
As robot vacuums get more technologically advanced, combining laser navigation sensors and home security cameras, their size and height increase. Today, it is uncommon to find a model who is less than 3 inches tall.
The eufy RoboVac G30, on the other hand, stands out for its small size. It is one of the tiniest robot vacuums we’ve tested, measuring 12.8 inches in diameter and 2.85 inches in height, allowing it to clean beneath couches where many other robot vacuums cannot.
RoboVac G30 intelligently navigates your home, cleaning in straight lines rather than crazily ping-ponging from wall to wall as some cheaper models do. RoboVac G30 offers a surprising amount of suction given its size, and it automatically increases suction while travelling over carpets or heavily soiled surfaces.
PROs
- Built with a low-profile profile
- The suction force is large in comparison to its size
- The app is well-designed
- Simple to set up and use
- Voice commands from Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are supported
- Intelligent navigation for systematic cleaning is included
CONs
- Strips and virtual borders are incompatible
- The battery life is mediocre
3. iLife A9
Despite being the least costly model on our list, the iLife A9 robot vacuum offers a plethora of functions and exceptional performance. We were pleasantly surprised by the A9’s speed and ease with which it traversed all types of the flooring during testing.
After a single cleaning, the dustbin in our roughly 1,000-square-foot test home was completely loaded with dust, filth, and dog hair. It left some residue on medium-pile carpeting but did an excellent job on hard flooring and low-pile carpeting.
It is typically priced under $200, which is a steal for a robot vacuum that includes Wi-Fi connectivity, Amazon Alexa voice control, house mapping, and intelligent navigation.
PROs
- Performs effectively
- Quiet
- Longer battery life
- Design with a low profile
- App and voice control are both supported
CONs
- On medium-pile carpets, performance is poor
- Max mode rapidly depletes the battery
- Some dog hairs were overlooked by the tests
iRobot is a well-known brand in the market for robot vacuums, and the Roomba i3+ EVO is their most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin. The advantages of this feature are difficult to overstate.
Self-emptying robot vacuums, in addition to being more convenient than manual vacuums, considerably limit your exposure to dust, which is a huge benefit for allergy sufferers.
The suction power of the i3+ EVO is ten times that of the entry-level Roomba 600 series, and it scored well in testing on both hard surfaces and carpets. When it identifies an especially filthy area, it quickly enters Dirt Detect mode and repeatedly passes over the area until it is clean.
iRobot has updated this model with smart mapping features, letting it be directed to specific rooms through phone or voice for focused area cleaning.
PROs
- Automatic garbage can
- Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT are all supported
- It makes planning and cleanup easier
- Detects and focuses on particularly filthy areas
CONs
- Typical battery life
- It can be noisy
WYZE is known for creating feature-rich, low-cost smart home gadgets, and its first robot vacuum is no exception. WYZE Lidar Mapping has an elevated Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor that projects hundreds of invisible laser pointers to scan surroundings and build an editable floor plan for your home.
LiDAR technology is utilized in self-driving cars and more expensive vacuum cleaners, but it is rare in low-cost robots. Once the WYZE vacuum has created a map of your home, you may mark each room, select which ones you want to be cleaned, and direct the robot to them.
You may also set up virtual fences to keep the robot out of specific areas, such as a tangle of wires under your desk or television stand.
It effectively eliminates dirt and pet hair from hard surfaces and carpets with a suction force of 2,100Pa. Even without Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice capabilities, this is one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums in this price range.
PROs
- A powerful sucking force
- Laser mapping technology is included
- There is support for app control, area cleaning, scheduling, and virtual walls
- HEPA filtering
CONs
- There is no support for voice commands
- Battery life is somewhat limited
- Occasionally gets stuck
Buying Guide
We condensed the purchasing criteria to three major characteristics after spending many hours researching market-leading robot vacuums, interacting with experts in the field, and personally testing them.
Intelligence
The intelligence of a robot vacuum includes the ability to precisely identify a location, recall the layout of your home, and avoid obstacles. There are exceptions to the rule that the more expensive a vacuum is, the “smarter” it is.
The least efficient navigation approach is multi-pass/random bounce navigation, which is typically observed on low-cost vacuums. It identifies and traverses the border using collision sensors, cliff sensors, and ground sensors.
Manoeuvrability
In my perspective, the incapacity of some vacuums to blast through high-pile carpets or diverse surfaces contradicts the purpose of automated cleaning equipment. Although some are thinner than others and may fit under furniture, all of the vacuums on our list were able to go seamlessly from hardwood to tile to carpet.
Other robots accommodate corners and barriers by having long, spinning bristles on their fronts that loosen the material and draw it beneath the robot, much like a crab digging in the sand.
Cleaning Skills
Obviously, a vacuum must be able to lift and remove dirt and particles from a room. Suction power, bristles or rollers, and battery life are all factors that influence these capabilities.
While robot vacuums cannot currently compete with upright vacuums in suction force or precision, the bulk of the vacuums on our list has varying suction strengths. (which you may alter during cleaning or allow your robot automatically detect the type of floor it is on). More suction power, on the other hand, means more battery depletion.
FAQs
Robot vacuum cleaners are designed to visit your home and clean your floors automatically, saving you time. They can clean on demand, according to a schedule, and even when you are not around. The robot, which is powered by rechargeable batteries, is generally recharged via a charging port. Docking stations on premium models clear the robot’s trash when it becomes full.
Robot vacuums are more complicated than traditional vacuums because they have more moving components, electronics, and software. Nonetheless, with regular maintenance and replacement components such as batteries, brushes, and filters, these machines may outlast traditional vacuums. This should imply many years of service.
Keep in mind that manufacturers frequently issue one-year limited warranties on their robots that cover components and labour. Examples include Samsung, IRobot, and Neato.
A robot vacuum’s ability to clean your house depends on a multitude of factors. Robots can be slowed down by objects such as wires, charging cords, toys, shoes, and clothing. The less clutter there is, the better a robot can function. Some robot vacuum models outperform others when it comes to cleaning tile, hardwood, and other types of carpet.
Picking a robot vacuum cleaner that meets your needs is difficult; picking one that meets both your wants and your budget is much more difficult. We addressed this issue by writing about the Best Robot Vacuums Under $400. Casual Living USA has thrilled you’ve made it this far, and we hope we’ve been of assistance.