The best robot vacuums for 2020

iRobot Roomba 690

Robot vacuums should be all about convenience and the iRobot Roomba 690 knocks it out of the park in that regard. Unlike some robot vacuums on the market, this little Roomba never seems to struggle to make it back to its home base. This means you don't have to waste time searching for where it's got to, nor do you have to deal with the inconvenience of it not being charged up and ready to go when you need it most. It is also much quieter than some other models available, meaning you can set it to work while you sleep and wake up with one less chore on your to-do list. At $849, the Roomba is somewhere in the middle of the price range for robot vacuums, making it a great buy for all the convenience it brings. We've tried and tested this one ourselves so you can take our word for it.

• • Compatible with both the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, you can use the iRobot HOME app to program cleaning times.
  • All-terrain wheels help the vacuum to climb well, so going from tiles to rugs doesn't cause it confusion.
  • It's "dirt detection" technology means that this drone works hard to remove a bunch of dust and grime you didn't even know was there and stores it away in an internal compartment ready for you to clean out at your leisure.
  • Auto-Adjust Cleaning Head automatically changes height to clean carpets and hard flooring efficiently.

XIAOMI White 2nd Gen Robot Vacuum Cleaner

If you're the proud owner of a hardwood floor, you're in luck. Hardwood floors are the easiest surface for your robot butler to clean, giving you fewer chores in the long run. The XIAOMI Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner 2 is currently one of the most highly-rated robot vacuums on the market with good reason. After it's collected up the stray hairs and popcorn kernels littering your floorboards, this nifty little gadget also has the ability to mop them for you too, making sure they stay spotless. It can also climb objects up to 20mm high, ensuring it can breeze from room to room with ease. At $699, it's roughly mid-range for a quality vacuum cleaner. With two functions in one though, it's a pretty good bargain for what has become one of the most popular models you can currently get your hands on.

• • Equipped with 13 smart sensors, the robot vacuum has a Laser Distance System which allows it to move around easily without knocking into your furniture or getting stuck.
  • Sync it with the Mi Home App on your smartphone for real-time monitoring and control. The app also allows you to view cleaning progress, change cleaning modes or set automatic schedules, even if you're not home.
  • With Z-form brushes on the side, a main brush with V-type bristles and an all-around close mopping pad, this little robot won't miss a spot.
  • Works with minimal noise without compromising efficiency.

Samsung Robot POWERbot Plus Black

Cleaning carpeted floors can be a bit of a challenge for robot vacuums, as they often lack the suction required to adequately dust deep within the carpet fibres. Having said that, if the right robot vacuum is used, they are ideal to lengthen the time between manual deep cleans. The Samsung Robot POWERbot Plus Black is capable of cleaning all manner of flooring types and its inbuilt CycloneForce technology enables it to work effectively on thicker carpets. The POWERbot retails for $999, placing it at the higher end of the market, but it's also packed with useful features to justify the cost.

• • Intelligent Power Control detects the type of surface being cleaned and adjusts the suction accordingly, meaning that carpets and rugs will receive more suction to get rid of embedded dust.
  • The unique self-cleaning brush significantly reduces the amount of hair that gets tangled on the bristles, resulting in a more efficient overall clean.

  • Edge Clean Master allows the POWERbot to detect room corners and clean them three times over to ensure every inch of your floor is spotless.

  • The remote control connection allows you to spot clean. Just point the light beam at a particular area and your robot will scurry after it, cleaning as it goes.

Devanti 300ml Robot Vacuum Cleaner Charcoal

Robot vacuum cleaners have a reputation for being on the pricier side, but they don't have to break the bank in order to be beneficial. Retailing at only $182.95, the Devanti Robot Vacuum Cleaner is easily the cheapest option on our list, but that certainly doesn't mean it isn't efficient. Equipped with an LED display panel, self-charging base (with return-to-base functionality) and anti-collision sensors, this robot vacuum has everything it needs to give you a helping hand.

• • • With multi-floor cleaning functions, the Devanti is perfect for cleaning hardwood, linoleum or tile floors as well as carpets.
    • The built-in filter captures up to 99% of allergens, such as pollen and tiny particles, eliminating most second-hand air pollution.
    • The scrapper height auto-adjusts to ensure thorough cleaning of uneven floors.
    • The anti-falling sensor detects stairs and avoids them.

ELECTROLUX Pure i9 Robotic Vacuum:Grey PI91-5SGM

No doubt your pet is one of the greatest joys in your life, but there's no denying their hair can be a nightmare to clean. The longer and thicker the hair, the harder it is to eradicate from your home. Robot vacuum cleaners with more power are the way to go if you have a pet that sheds a lot, so that they can effectively clean without getting stuck or overloaded. We recommend the Electrolux Pure i9 Robot Vacuum. It's powerful enough to clean up your pet's shedding and its 3D Vision technology enables it to map out your room for effective navigation even when you're not home. At $1,699, it's the most expensive option on the list, but the added features make it a solid investment piece. We've tried and tested it so you can read all about it.

• The smart charging system can signal the vacuum when it needs to return to the charging base, before resuming where it left off once charged.
• The triangular Trinity Shape and PowerBrush make sure no corner or edge is missed.
• ClimbForceDrive technology allows the PUREi9 to climb up to 2.2cm in order to clear door thresholds without getting stuck.
• Quiet suction means you can set it to work after the family have gone to bed without waking anyone up.

Despite their best efforts, a good manual sweep or vacuum is always going to be a superior cleaning method to your robot friend. However, robot vacuums are not meant to replace your regular vacuum, they're designed to supplement them. This means they're still worth investing in, especially for those without a lot of spare time.

If you're the type of person who obsesses over the tiniest scrap of dust, robot vacuum cleaners can help ease your mind by continuing to clean even when you're out of the house.

If you'd just like an extra hand around the house each day for regular maintenance – not to mention to stretch out the time between deeper cleans – a robot vacuum might just be your new best pal.

There are countless videos on YouTube of robot vacuum cleaners taking a fall down a flight of stairs, not having detected the edge of the floor until the last moment. While amusing to watch, it's entirely inconvenient and can cost you a fair bit if they break.

Thankfully, most robot vacuum cleaners now come equipped with edge detection technology and infra-red sensors that prevent your new friend from taking a tumble. These sensors bounce off the floor, measuring the distance between the unit and the surface, enabling the vacuum to recognise when it's nearing a fall so it can adjust its course.