Best Robot Vacuums 2023: Six Top Performers Compared

Introduction

After testing 84 robot vacuums and reviewing the data, we have chosen the best six robot vacuums for 2023. To determine which models made this list, we considered three core requirements: cleaning performance, navigation, and usability.

Cleaning performance focuses primarily on debris removal, including our standard cleaning test, long hair test, and pet hair tests. For navigation, we check how well the robots avoid obstacles, navigate spaces, and whether they can consistently return to base. Usability focuses on how convenient and easy the device is to use, including navigational efficiency, maintenance, and how truly hands-off the robot is.

While there are many fantastic robot vacuums out there, none of them quite stack up against the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It has nearly perfect cleaning performance, removing 97.9 percent of debris by weight in our tests. Long hair and pet hair performance were both solid, though not quite perfect. We did see some tangling with long hair, but it was fairly easy to remove.

While the S8 Pro Ultra stumbled a bit with hair, this is a common issue for virtually all robot vacuums. What little it lacks in this area is far outweighed by its incredible usability. In addition to vacuuming, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra can mop simultaneously. Not only does this mop have solid cleaning performance, but it can lift when the robot senses carpet, so it won’t drag a wet dirty mop through your carpets and rugs.

This, in combination with useful features, obstacle avoidance technology, and great navigational performance, makes it one of the absolute best performers in terms of usability and convenience. Furthermore, the robot has a robust docking station that can automatically empty the debris, wash the mop pads, and heat dry the mop pads as well. It is an incredibly powerful addition to the robot, handling the majority of daily maintenance tasks for the user. All in all, it is an expensive robot, but it is also arguably the best robot vacuum on the market.

How We Tested

To determine which robot vacuums to include on this list, we ran each device through a battery of tests. For cleaning performance, we placed four different debris types on three different floor types. We measured half an ounce of each debris, put them together, and evenly distributed the material across the floor. Next, we ran the robot vacuum on the highest suction available, letting it complete two full cleaning cycles. After that, we measured the amount of remaining debris by weight and compared it to the starting amounts.

All of the chosen robots for this list, including the honorable mentions, had cleaning performances above a 95.8 percent across all flooring and debris types. The Roomba i7+ and S9+ had the best across the board with a 99 percent debris removal rate. In some cases, like the Samsung JetBot AI+ on hardwood or the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni on low pile carpet, the robot struggled slightly, which lowered their overall score. Still, none of these robots had scores below 93 percent on any floor type.

In addition to testing debris removal, we also tested how well the robot vacuums manage long hair and avoid tangles. We did this by laying 0.3 grams of long hair on hardwood flooring and running the robot vacuum over the hair on maximum suction power, letting it perform a single cleaning cycle. After that, we checked the floor for remaining strands and the brush rolls and spinning side brush for hair tangles.

Robot vacuums across the board struggle with managing long hair. In most cases, at least half of the hair remains tangled in the device after cleaning. That said, there is one notable exception: the Shark Matrix. In contrast to the other devices, the Matrix managed long hair with ease, only having 6.7 percent of the hair tangled around the brush roll. On the other side, the Roomba Combo j7+, Deebot T10 Omni, and Roomba i7+ all struggled with long hair.

It is important to know that robot vacuums across the board struggle with long hair. Even when hair tangles around the majority of these brush rolls, it is fairly easy to remove when the ends of the brush roll can detach or a tool is provided to help with hair removal. In most cases, the hair is easy to manage. The one exception to this was the Samsung JetBot AI+, which had hair tightly wound around the brush roll and required scissors to get out.

We also tested how well the robot vacuums manage pet hair on high pile carpet. We nestled 1.0 grams of pet hair into the carpet fibers and ran the robots over it on the highest suction power. Again, robot vacuums are going to struggle more with pet hair compared to a standard upright or cordless stick. However, there are some robots that have fantastic results when pitted against pet fur.

The Roomba Combo j7+, the Roomba S9+, and the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra all had fantastic results with pet hair. Both the Roomba S9+ and Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra had over 90 percent removal, with the Roomba Combo j7+ having the highest at 95 percent. On the lower end, we have the Shark Matrix and Roomba i7+. While the Roomba was able to remove the majority of pet hair, the Matrix failed to accomplish that.

Not all robot vacuums on this list have mopping functionality, so they are not discussed in that section. To test mopping functionality, we had the robot vacuum perform multiple cleaning cycles in our office and studio space, periodically checking the mop pads and water tank for dirt and debris. Across the board, all of the robot vacuums had excellent performance. While none of them will stand up to the power of a dedicated mopping device, they do handle daily mopping incredibly well.

In addition, many of the robots include features that improve the mopping experience. The Roborock S8, Roborock S7, and Roomba Combo j7+ all include mop pads that can lift or even retract, reducing the likelihood of getting your carpets or rugs damp or dirty. In addition, robot vacuums like the Roborock S7 and S8 and Ecovacs Deebot T10 and X1 include a docking station that performs automatic maintenance on the mop pads.

One of the newer feature additions to robot vacuums is the ability to actively detect and avoid obstacles via internal sensors paired with RGB cameras. While not every device on this list has these capabilities, most of them do. To test this, we placed different objects that can be found in a home in an area that the robot vacuum had to clean. We then ran the device and observed its cleaning, checking to see how well it avoids objects.

Performance varied across the board, with both the Ecovacs robots and Roborock S7 receiving the best results. Both of the Ecovacs robots were able to mostly avoid all objects, occasionally brushing alongside some, whereas the Roborock S7 completely avoided all of the objects in its path. Most of the robots fell somewhere in the middle, avoiding most obstacles while running into some of them. The worst performance came from the Shark Matrix. That said, it lacks an RGB camera, which suggests it does not have any obstacle recognition.

In addition to testing moment-to-moment obstacle avoidance, we also tested navigational ability on a broader scale. We did this by having each robot vacuum perform multiple cleaning cycles in our office and studio space, checking three core requirements: can it fully clean the space, can it avoid getting stuck, and can it return to the dock successfully. In all cases, the robot vacuums navigated well. Very few of them got stuck, while all of them fully cleaned the floor and returned to base.

The Samsung JetBot AI+ and Roomba Combo j7+ did get stuck once or twice, but it happens so infrequently that we do not consider it a major issue. In addition, the Roomba S9+ and i7+ lack the improved navigation hardware that was introduced with the j7 series. While they do not have a camera, they still manage to navigate very well, cleaning the full space and returning to base the majority of the time. There were cases where they got stuck on obstacles around the floor, but that is somewhat expected given that they lack obstacle recognition.

We also tested how fast each robot is able to clean our office and studio space, which consists of around a thousand square feet and includes film equipment, electronics, and other products for testing. Both the Shark Matrix and Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni had the fastest speeds, cleaning in 40 to 50 minutes. Most of the vacuums fell in the 50 to 70 minute range, with the Samsung JetBot AI+ being the slowest by far. It took 100 to 110 minutes to completely clean our office space, which is notably more than the average of 50 to 60 minutes. Cleaning speed is not a huge issue, as most of the robots have the ability to recharge themselves and resume cleaning where they left off.

To test how loud the vacuums are while running, we ran them on high pile carpet, measuring the amount of noise generated on each mode from about three feet away using a professional sound meter device. Additionally, we measured how loud the vacuum is while self-emptying. Most of the robot vacuums on this list created noise in the 60 to 70 decibel range on each mode. Both of the Roborock vacuums seemed to be the loudest on their maximum suction power, while the Roomba i7+ was the quietest, but only barely, at 67.1 decibels. While self-emptying, the Roomba Combo j7+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra were the loudest, with a noise level in the 80 decibel range. That said, for all these vacuums, do not disturb options exist to prevent self-emptying or even cleaning during quiet hours.

Usability focuses on how easy or convenient it is to use the robot vacuum. Specs that are included in usability are setup, control of the device, and maintenance of the device, as well as any other accessories or features that allow the device to be more hands-off or more convenient. Every single robot vacuum we have discussed comes with an auto empty docking station of some sort. However, only some of the docking stations have additional functionality that assists with the mop as well.

The Ecovacs robots and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra have docking stations that can practically do everything in regards to daily maintenance. The docking station of the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra only lacks the ability to heat dry mop pads, whereas all the rest can only automatically empty the dustbin. That said, the Shark Matrix offers a bagless dustbin, which does reduce long-term maintenance costs. Another important note regarding the Ecovacs docking stations is that they lack a removable base plate. Without the ability to remove the base plate, washing it becomes a lot more difficult and tedious.

Setup is also fairly easy across the board for each robot, and they each include app connectivity which offers a variety of features including maps, custom schedules, cleaning history, and more. Some robots are equipped with their own variations on these basic settings, as well as additions specific to the device or manufacturer.

Best Overall: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the best robot vacuum we have tested. It has nearly perfect cleaning performance, removing 97.9 percent of debris by weight in our tests. Long hair and pet hair performance were both solid, though not quite perfect. We did see some tangling with long hair, but it was fairly easy to remove.

While the S8 Pro Ultra stumbled a bit with hair, this is a common issue for virtually all robot vacuums. What little it lacks in this area is far outweighed by its incredible usability. In addition to vacuuming, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra can mop simultaneously. Not only does this mop have solid cleaning performance, but it can lift when the robot senses carpet, so it will not drag a wet dirty mop through your carpets and rugs.

This, in combination with useful features, obstacle avoidance technology, and great navigational performance, makes it one of the absolute best performers in terms of usability and convenience. Furthermore, the robot has a robust docking station that can automatically empty the debris, wash the mop pads, and heat dry the mop pads as well. It is an incredibly powerful addition to the robot, handling the majority of daily maintenance tasks for the user.

All in all, it is an expensive robot, but it is also arguably the best robot vacuum on the market.

Best for Corners: iRobot Roomba S9+

Next up is the Roomba S9+, the highest end flagship model from iRobot. Its D-shaped body design allows it to get into corners more easily, allowing for fantastic cleaning performance. In our tests, 99 percent of all debris across all four types was removed. While long hair performance had many tangles, the hair was easy to remove, being mostly tangled around the ends of the axle. However, pet hair performance was excellent, with the majority of the pet hair removed from the high powered carpet.

In addition, the S9+ comes with an auto empty docking station. This, in combination with the helpful app features, creates a robot that is easy to use. Notably, it lacks obstacle avoidance features, but still navigates fairly well. The cleaner the floor of obstacles, the better the navigational performance is going to be on the S9+. Despite the lack of newer features, the Roomba S9+ is a powerful performer and a fantastic cleaner.

Best Value Flagship: Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra

While it is an older model than the S8, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra is a fantastic device all the same. It utilizes many of the same features and technology the S8 has, but lacks some of the newer additions. Regardless, it still removed 97.9 percent of all debris and had fantastic results in our pet hair test, removing 90 percent of the hair from the carpet. While it struggled more with long hair tangles, these were easy to remove, making it less of an issue.

In addition, the S7 MaxV Ultra has mopping features which clean a healthy amount of dirt and debris from the floor. These mop pads can also lift up when carpet is detected, just like the Roborock S8. Navigational performance was excellent for the S7, thanks to the combination of LiDAR and RGB camera and their reactive AI. The S7 expertly navigated our floor. In addition, it has obstacle avoidance technology which avoided all the obstacles placed in our test.

Usability is also fantastic thanks to the docking station. Much like the S8, this docking station manages the majority of daily maintenance tasks for you. Unlike the S8, this docking station cannot dry the mop pads. It will clean them, but lacks the heat dry functionality.

Best for Mopping: Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni

The Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni is another robot packed with incredibly useful usability features. It is equipped with a powerful docking station that, like the Roborock S8, automatically empties the debris and can wash and dry the mop pads. In addition, it has a built-in voice assistant named Yiko that enables voice commands for the robot.

That said, the T10 Omni has more than features. In our cleaning test, it removed 96.8 percent of all debris across all floor and debris types. It struggled more with long hair and had okay performance with pet hair, but its RGB camera and LiDAR did well to navigate our office and studio space, and it avoided all obstacles successfully. Furthermore, the dual spinning mop pads manage dirt and debris well in our mopping test.

Unfortunately, the mops are unable to lift in order to keep the carpet clean. Instead, the robot will avoid carpets or rugs entirely while it has the mop pads attached. Regardless, the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni is a powerful vacuum with many helpful features.

Best for Carpet Homes: iRobot Roomba Combo j7+

The Roomba Combo j7+ is the latest robot vacuum from iRobot. It comes packed with the latest features which improve the overall cleaning experience. The most notable addition is the lifting mop pad, which will lift onto the top of the robot when carpets or rugs are detected. Furthermore, the robot has an RGB camera that enables obstacle avoidance and improves navigational performance. In our navigational test, the j7+ successfully avoided objects and fully cleaned the office floor without getting stuck.

In terms of cleaning performance, the Combo j7+ is fantastic. It removed 96.4 percent of all debris, had excellent cleaning performance while mopping, and managed pet hair with ease. That said, the robot did struggle with long hair, having the majority of hair tangled around the brush roll and spinning side brush.

Maintenance also lags a little behind compared to the other robot vacuums on this list. It has a docking station that automatically empties the dustbin of the robot, but it lacks the ability to wash the mop pads, refill the water supply, or dry the mop pads. That said, it is notably less expensive due to the more simple docking station.

Best for Smart Features: Samsung JetBot AI+

Last but not least, we have the Samsung JetBot AI+. In our cleaning test, it had a 95.8 percent debris removal rate. In addition, the JetBot AI+ did okay with long and pet hair, but not amazing. More than half of the long hair tangled, but more than half of the pet hair was removed.

The robot utilizes an RGB camera for navigation, which enables obstacle avoidance. In our test, it avoided all the obstacles in its path, though it will sometimes bump into them with the corner, occasionally snagging on things like cords. The biggest weak spot of the Samsung is its cleaning speed. It took 100 to 110 minutes to completely clean our office space, which is notably more than the average of 50 to 60 minutes.

In most cases, the long cleaning time is not a major issue, especially thanks to the auto empty docking station and usability features like recharge and resume. In addition, it has app connectivity with a plethora of helpful usability options.

Honorable Mentions

We have tested many robot vacuums, and while we chose the robots we felt were the absolute best for this list, there are many devices that are comparable to the ones we chose.

Best Value: iRobot Roomba i7+

When the Roomba i7+ was released, it was one of the most advanced robot vacuums we had seen at the time. Now it shows its age in terms of features and ability, but still does not lack in terms of raw vacuuming performance. In our test, it removed 99 percent of all debris, which is an incredible performance and at the same level as the more expensive Roomba S9+. It struggled with long and pet hair, but comes with an auto empty base for easier maintenance. In addition, the app experience is excellent with full mapping functionality.

Best for Long Hair: Shark Matrix

Being the latest robot vacuum from Shark, the Shark Matrix is a solid performer in its own right. It removed 97.3 percent of all debris in our test and had some of the best long hair management across all robot vacuums we have tested to date. In our test, it only had 6.7 percent of the long strands tangled around the brush roll. It also had a docking station with automatic debris removal and a bagless dustbin on that station. This reduces maintenance costs over time, as you do not have to worry about replacement bags.

Best for Hands-Off Maintenance: Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni

The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni is another solid choice, just narrowly edged out by the newer T10 Omni. It also has many of the same features that we saw in the T10 Omni. The X1 has the auto empty, wash, fill, and dry station, the built-in voice assistant Yiko, and optical avoidance technology. It offers a great cleaning performance with 96.5 percent debris removal and has mopping capabilities as well.

Buying Advice

When choosing a robot vacuum, the most important factor is cleaning performance. All of the robots on this list performed above 95.8 percent in our debris removal tests, so you can trust that any of them will keep your floors clean. However, the differences become more apparent when you consider your specific needs.

If you have pets, the Roomba Combo j7+, Roomba S9+, and Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra all had fantastic results with pet hair, with the Combo j7+ having the highest removal rate at 95 percent. If you have long hair in your household, the Shark Matrix is the clear winner, with only 6.7 percent of hair tangled around the brush roll.

If you want the most hands-off experience, look for a docking station that can do more than just empty the dustbin. The Ecovacs robots and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra have docking stations that can wash and dry mop pads, handling the majority of daily maintenance tasks for you. The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra can wash mop pads but lacks the heat dry functionality.

If you have a mix of carpets and hard floors, consider a robot with a lifting mop pad, like the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, or Roomba Combo j7+. These robots can lift their mop pads when they detect carpet, so they will not drag a wet dirty mop through your carpets and rugs.

If you are on a budget, the Roomba i7+ offers incredible value with 99 percent debris removal, though it lacks some of the newer features like obstacle avoidance and mopping. The Roomba Combo j7+ is also notably less expensive than some of the other models on this list, thanks to its more simple docking station.

Conclusion

After testing 84 robot vacuums, we have chosen the best six for 2023. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra takes the top spot with nearly perfect cleaning performance, excellent usability, and a docking station that handles the majority of daily maintenance tasks. The Roomba S9+ is a powerful performer with fantastic corner cleaning, while the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra offers many of the same features as the S8 at a lower price point.

The Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni is packed with useful features, including a powerful docking station and built-in voice assistant. The Roomba Combo j7+ brings the latest features from iRobot, including a lifting mop pad and obstacle avoidance. And the Samsung JetBot AI+ offers solid performance with a wide range of smart features.

For those looking for more budget-friendly options, the Roomba i7+ still delivers incredible raw vacuuming performance, the Shark Matrix excels at long hair management, and the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni offers many of the same features as the T10 Omni at a slightly lower price. Whichever robot you choose from this list, you can be confident that it will keep your floors clean.