How we test
All robot vacuums in this review were tested by me in my own 1,500-square-foot apartment. So far in 2024, I’ve gone through the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roomba Combo j5+, Roomba Combo j9+, Narwal Freo X Ultra, Shark RV 2300S, Shark Detect Pro, Yeedi M12 Pro+, and Roborock.
How we evaluate robot vacuum performance
I directly compared these robots’ ability to clean multiple floor types (as well as how they compared to popular cordless vacuums from brands like Dyson and Shark). When it comes to real-world testing of robot vacuums, each robot vacuum is put through a series of standardized cleaning tests designed to cover the major combinations of debris and floor types likely to be found in an average home. This includes understanding how effectively each vacuum cleaner removes current debris, such as freshly spilled food crumbs, as well as more stubborn debris, such as pet hair that has become embedded in fibers over time.
Especially for small spaces, the size of a robot vacuum is more important to consider, both in terms of the size of the vacuum itself and the space it takes up while charging. The shortest robot vacuums are nearly or just under three inches tall, while others are over five inches tall, and most of them are able to fit under a sofa or low-slung bed frame. Most non-self-emptying bases are no larger than a shoe and can be squeezed inconspicuously into tight corners or under furniture to maximize space (assuming there’s enough room in front for the robot vacuum to return). However, self-draining docks have become quite compact over the years, so while I excluded any models that would be too big for a small house, I made sure to include some self-draining options with a decent footprint—you shouldn’t have to just Eliminate the convenience of automatic emptying because your space is comfortable.
Noise levels are also taken into consideration. At close range, the vacuum cleaner’s buzz feels much louder. If you’re worried about leaving your kids, roommates, or neighbors on the other side of a thin wall undisturbed, you’ll want a robot vacuum that’s hyped for its noise levels. Keep in mind that self-emptying docks make the loudest noise of the entire process, although some docks are shorter and quieter than others.
