Robot Vacuum buying guide

Thinking about upgrading your cleaning routine? Robot vacuums take care of everyday dust, crumbs and pet hair without you having to lift a finger. Discover our full range of robot vacuum cleaners – from leading brands such as iRobot, ECOVACS, Dyson, Roborock and Dreame – and find the best robot vacuum for your home.

The right features make all the difference when it comes to how well your robot vacuum cleans and how little effort it needs from you. Focus on the options that match your floors, routine and expectations.

Strong suction power

Strong robot vacuum suction power helps lift dirt, crumbs and pet hair more effectively. Here’s what to look for in a robot vacuum for carpets:

Low-pile carpets or hard floors: 8000-10,000 Pa

Medium to high-pile carpets, or homes with pets: 10,000 Pa or higher

Pro tip: Some robot vacuums automatically adjust suction depending on the floor type. This means stronger suction on carpets and lower suction on hard floors, helping extend battery life while still giving every surface a thorough clean.

Smart mapping

Accurate mapping means faster, more efficient cleaning with fewer missed spots.

Advanced navigation

This helps your robot move smoothly around obstacles and furniture, so it cleans methodically instead of randomly.

Multi-surface cleaning

Automatically adjusting between hard floors and carpets ensures consistent results without you lifting a finger.

Edge cleaning

A robot vacuum that cleans along walls, corners and room edges ensures no dust or debris is left behind.

Mopping capabilities

Built-in mopping adds an extra layer of cleanliness by tackling everyday spills on hard floors.

Long battery life

Longer battery life allows the robot to clean larger areas in one go, with fewer interruptions or recharges.

Wi-Fi control

App control lets you schedule cleans, set zones, adjust settings and start cleaning from anywhere – perfect for busy days.

Voice assistance

Hands-free control makes it easy to start or stop cleaning using simple voice commands.

Auto-emptying

A self-emptying system reduces how often you need to empty the dustbin, making maintenance almost effortless.

High-quality filters

High-quality filters help trap fine dust and allergens, keeping floors cleaner and indoor air fresher.

Anti-tangle technology

Prevents hair from wrapping around the brush roll. This is especially useful in homes with pets or people with long hair, reducing maintenance and keeping your robot vacuum running smoothly without constant manual cleaning.

Low noise

Quieter operation means you can run your robot during the day – or even at night – without disruption.

What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair?

The best robot vacuum for pets has strong suction, anti-tangle technology and a good filter. These features help pick up fur without brushes getting clogged and keep pet dander from spreading back into the air.

What is the best vacuum and mop robot?

The best vacuum and mop robot is one that can switch easily between vacuuming and mopping and adjust to different floor types. Look for smart navigation, adjustable water flow, and good suction so it cleans thoroughly without soaking your floors.

How to clean a robot vacuum

Cleaning a robot vacuum is simple. Empty the dustbin regularly, remove hair from the brush roll, wipe down sensors, and clean or replace the filter as recommended. A few minutes of maintenance keeps your robot running efficiently and extends its lifespan.

We break down all the tech talk that you need to know.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

A laser-based navigation system used by robot vacuums to map rooms accurately and clean efficiently.

Pascals (Pa)

A measure of a robot vacuum’s suction power. The higher the Pa, the stronger the vacuum’s ability to lift dirt, dust and pet hair from carpets and hard floors.

Lithium-Ion Battery

These batteries power most modern robot vacuums. They’re lightweight, long-lasting and recharge quickly, allowing the vacuum to clean larger areas on a single charge.

HEPA Filter

A HEPA filter traps extremely fine particles such as dust, pollen and pet dander. For allergy sufferers or pet owners, a HEPA filter may help improve indoor air quality.

Decibel Level (dB)

It tells you how loud a robot vacuum is while cleaning. Lower dB levels mean quieter operation.

Threshold Climbing

Describes a robot vacuum’s ability to move over small height changes, including door frames and rugs.

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Navigation

A robot vacuum's ability to find its way around your home, to clean it.

Mapping

A robot vacuum’s ability to learn and remember the layout of your space.

Carpet Detection

A feature that allows a robot to recognise carpet or rug and increase suction.

Dirt Detection

This enables the robot vacuum to recognise areas needing special attention. The robot will focus its cleaning efforts on these areas until the sensor detects reduced specks of dirt.

Scheduled Cleaning

A function that lets your robot clean at pre-set times, how and where you need it. Depending on the device, cleaning can be programmed on the robot itself or activated via voice assistant or an app.

Zone or Room Cleaning

A handy way of selecting individual areas or rooms in your home for cleaning.

2-in-1

A term used to describe a robot vacuum that has both a vacuuming and mopping function.

Dock

A robot vacuum’s charging station.

Docking

A robot vacuum’s ability to recharge automatically.