We ran 18 robot vacuums through a living-room obstacle course with rugs, cords and socks, then lived with the finalists for a month.
Why you should trust us
We've tested more than 70 robot vacuums since 2016, measuring debris pickup by weight and tracking how often each one got stuck.
Who this is for
Robot vacuums are ideal for pet owners and busy households who want floors maintained between deeper cleans.
Our pick: Tidy Orbit S8
The Orbit S8 picked up 97% of our test debris and rarely got stuck, even on tasseled rugs.
What we like
- Accurate lidar mapping
- Self-emptying base holds 60 days
- Handles pet hair well
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- Mopping is only light-duty
- App asks for many permissions
Budget pick: Dusto Mini
It cleans in a random pattern, but it's dependable and easy to maintain.
How we tested
Weighed debris pickup on hardwood and carpet
Obstacle course with cords and socks
Noise measurements at 1 meter
Four weeks of daily use in a pet home
What we look for
Performance, comfort and ease of use come first. Then we weigh durability, warranty and long-term value against price.
Tip: Do a quick 'robot sweep' before each run—pick up cords and socks—and any robot will perform far better.
The competition
Several premium models promised AI obstacle avoidance but still ate charging cables in our tests.
