Automatic robot vacuum cleaners | Philips (2024)

FAQs

Are autonomous vacuums worth it? ›

It really depends on your home and cleaning needs. If you have a busy schedule and want your floors cleaned automatically, robot vacuums are ideal. If you want to save cleaning time, having your robovac do a daily floor cleaning can help prevent the build-up of dust and debris and cut down on your regular vacuuming.

Final Verdict

The Shark is a more budget-friendly, bagless option, but the Roomba j7+ is the clear winner here. Its obstacle avoidance technology is hard to beat, and a self-emptying feature means you can pretty much forget about maintenance for up to 60 days.

The iRobot Roomba j9+ is one of the smartest standalone robot vacuums you can buy, with a pet waste-evasion guarantee and a self-emptying base that means you rarely have to lift a finger.

We think that the Roborock Q5 (and the Roborock Q5+, with its self-emptying dock) and the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max are your best choices. (If you're curious about hybrid models that can vacuum and mop, we have some information on those, too.)

Ideal Suction Power

Most budget models offer 2,000 Pa suction, while higher-end power force vacuum cleaner models may offer up to 6,000 or even 8,000 Pa, which is beneficial for homes with pets and carpets. Check this blog if you're looking to choose the best robot vacuum.

Cons to consider

The Shark Detect Pro is on the pricier side, so it is an investment for anyone wanting to purchase it. It also has a higher profile, so it doesn't fit under all of our furniture, though this seems to be common for most robot vacuums.

Robot Vacuums

Expect one to last between three and five years, though longer if you're capable of changing within that time.

Each brand is equal in performance, battery life, and attachment quality. Bissell is better for rugs and carpets and highly recommended for people with pets. Sharks are good with pet hair and odors but have heavier units.

Cons of a robot vacuum cleaner

Some vacuuming robots, especially the cheap ones, are not very thorough, often getting lost in the room, avoiding certain areas, blocking against small obstacles, bumping into furniture or not getting on the carpet.

According to our expert Kim, robot vacs are more likely to go rogue and break down than traditional vacs, and despite their high price point, the warranties are usually limited to just one or two years. "As many robot vacuums cost $1000 or more, you'd expect to get many years of life out of them.

Should I run my robot vacuum every day? ›

Consider Your Family Member's Health. If you or any family member suffers from respiratory diseases like asthma, you should maintain the house clean at all times. Running the robot vacuum on a daily basis will prevent bacteria and allergens from flying around the house, lowering the risk of allergies.

Though the slightly older Roomba j7+ is smarter than the s9+ in terms of avoiding small obstacles like cords, the s9+ still beats it in terms of sheer suction power. (If you want numbers, the s9+ cleans with 40 times the suction of 600 Series Roombas while the j7+ offers 10 times the suction.)

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum

Maintenance tasks that other models require users to perform manually, like drying, emptying, refilling, cleaning, and mop washing, can all be managed by the S8 Pro Ultra. It's as close as you can get to a hands-off cleaning experience.

The Roomba s9+ is iRobot's most powerful robot vacuum. It has the highest suction power of all iRobot units and, thanks to its D-shaped design, is made to fit easily into tight corners.

Robotic vacuums are usually smaller than traditional upright vacuums, and weigh significantly less than even the lightest canister models. However, a downside to a robotic vacuum cleaner is that it takes an extended amount of time to vacuum an area due to its size.