Chores can get tedious, day in and day out. But when cleaning day comes, and you resignedly pick up a broom or vacuum cleaner, consider a piece of much more convenient equipment. Enter smart robot vacuums - they never tire and don’t mind cleaning every day in your stead, even when you're not around. With so many variations on the market, from canister to stick hoovers, why should you pick a smart robot machine? An expert breaks it down.
Is a robot vacuum cleaner worth it?
For one, you don't have to keep sweeping the floors manually. Robot vacuums set about the house dutifully, per a cleaning schedule set by you. And when the time comes for a refuel, these machines return to their charging stations without collapsing mid-operation. Most last for about 100 minutes on a single charge.
"It's a fantastic machine for parents who have crawling toddlers or pets, and couples who are out working and want to return to a clean house. Robotic vacuums suck up the smallest of debris and dust particles that larger hoovers might leave behind," said Shahzaman Rafik Siddiqui, owner of the appliance servicing centre Novafix in Dubai.
They strike an attractive deal, given the plethora of functions these vacuums can perform for you. Powerful sensors and cameras scan your floor plan to map out dirty or high-traffic zones. They link to your smartphone, too, so that you can carry out video calls with children and pets at home. And, let's not forget the two-in-one models, which vacuum and mop.
Due to their round form factor, a consumer's concern has always been a robot vacuum's ability to sweep corners. Siddiqui says that this is no longer an issue with the latest models that come with extra side brushes for crevices.
Which robot vacuum is the best for me?
Any brand with a reputable aftersales service will do, since nearly all the top manufacturers in the industry offer similar features. According to our expert, keep any eye out for Ecovacs, Dreametech, Eufy, Xiaomi and Roborock.
"I have a Roborock robot vacuum cleaner in my office - it runs for over 100 mintues, carries a large dustbox, comes with two suction speeds and has reliable sensors," Siddiqui added.
We’ve picked out the best robot vacuums across various categories, so that you can easily snag a smart helper for the house. Or you can hire cleaning professionals to right your home before the guests arrive, through Amazon's cleaning services - browse your options from sanitisation to wet vacuuming carpets. Become an Amazon Prime member and have your own robot vacuum delivered to you by today.
1. Best Overall: Roborock S8 Robot Vacuum
Pros
- New double roller brushes capture fine particles like pet hair
- Avoids obstacles, like socks, toys and mugs, on the floor
- Scrubs floors using sonic technology
- Good navigation system with 3D scanning
- Nonstop cleaning for 180 minutes on a single charge
Cons
- Mop cloths need to be rinsed after each session
- Dust box has to be emptied out manually
Roborock S8 is for those who will need frequent mopping around the house. Even if your floors are partially covered, the smart machine automatically detects carpets and lifts the mop pad out of the way. This new model is a welcome upgrade from the S7, equipped with a suction power that reaches a whopping 6,000Pa. It recommends the right amount of cleaning intensity, depending on the room it's in, whether the bathrooms or bedrooms. The robot vacuum does everything a hi-tech cleaner is capable of, from mapping your floor plan to scheduling cleaning times - but it stands out for mopping with sonic vibration technology that doesn't leave dried streaks behind. The device has a 300ml water tank and a 400ml dustbin, and runs for 180 minutes on its lowest setting or 'quiet' mode. The only dealbreaker, note reviewers, could be the manual effort that goes into cleaning and rinsing the cloth after the mopping is done. They do point out that it's better than its predecessor at avoiding carpets when mopping and capturing pet hair.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh116.58 for 12 months with select bank.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh80 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh113.
2. Best Value: Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8
Pros
- Mops with four levels of water flow, and vacuums with a power of 2300Pa
- Decent battery life at 110 minutes
- Syncs with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home
- Charging station is compact
- Value for money
Cons
- Mopping fuctionality is average
The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 is great, if you want to invest in an affordable device that not only vacuums but mops. With a suction power admittedly lower than our best overall pick, this machine still serves beginners well at an economical value, say reviewers. You can schedule cleaning times away from home and set no-go zones, but the vacuum only relies on laser mapping to get the job done - there's no built-in camera. It’s impressive for cleaning up to 110 minutes on a single charge, covering 2,000 square feet of an area easily. The mapping technology is capable of saving multi-floor maps so that the machine efficiently handles your entire home, no matter how big it is. The vacuum comes with one washable mopping pad, along with five that are disposable.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh124.92 for 12 months with select banks. Save an extra Dh400 when you apply a coupon.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh86 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh121.
3. Best Docking Station: Roborock Q7 Max+
Pros
- Pros Mops and vacuums simultaneously
- Features several cleaning customisation options
- Self-emptying dustbin
- Efficiently tracks cleaning routes
Cons
- Does not work on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network, some reviewers say
Roborock Q7 Max+ doesn’t just vacuum, it mops and empties its own dustbin. In fact, with its 2.5 litre dust bag, it stores up to seven weeks of debris, so you don't have to worry if you forget about emptying it out. This capable robot vacuum uses 4,200Pa of suction power to navigate around your home and efficiently clean up dust and debris. Its LiDAR (light detection and ranging) navigation system allows it to create precise maps, and monitor cleaning routes. Reviewers say the device’s dustbin and water tank are quite large (470ml and 350ml respectively), so they don’t have to clean it out or refill very often. But do note that it works on a 2.5GHz Wi-Fi connection, so if you have a 5GHz connection, you might find a more suitable pick from this list. Check out other robotic cleaners with mops.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh107.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh74 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh105.
4. Best for Pet Owners: eufy RoboVac X8
Pros
- Twin-Turbine technology, each with 2,000 Pa of suction power
- Runtime of three hours per charge
- Spot clean with a tap
- Mop tank of 250ml that lasts 140 minutes
- Google Assistant and Alexa compatible
Cons
- Doesn't work with 5GHz WiFi
- Mopping is subpar, per reviews
The eufy RoboVac X8 is another vacuum with excellent suction power at 4000Pa and a slim design, made for pet mums and dads. The vacuum's Twin-Turbine technology generates greater airflow so it's easier to pick up pet hair as it goes. With up to 180 minutes of vacuuming capability at a time, and a 400ml upgraded dust box and 250ml water reservoir, it gets the vacuuming and mopping done for you in a jiffy. Order your smart robot to clean specific spots in a room through the app, and if the kids are playing in a corner, simply section off the area as a 'no-go zone'. This is great for families with kids, and pets, or the busy worker bee who never has enough time to clean.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh124.92 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh86 and two years for Dh121.
5. Best Budget: Ultenic D5s Pro
Pros
- Value for money
- 3000Pa suction power
- Four cleaning modes
- Runs for 150 minutes at a time
- Syncs with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Mapping function is not the best
The budget-conscious buyer, who has pets or several carpeted areas in the home, needs this high-suction vacuum cleaner for daily maintenance. The vacuum automatically increases its suction power up to 3000Pa, when it runs over a carpet. After running for 150 minutes on a single charge, it returns to the base for refuelling. This two-in-one model even doubles as a mop-only robot, for times when you need to quickly take care of sticky messes. You can set it up with your voice assistant through WiFi and use the app to create routine cleaning schedules. Though, do note that reviewers say it doesn't save maps for each room. The robot vacuum’s four cleaning modes allow it to switch between dusting, sweeping, rolling and mopping, as it moves through the house. Reviewers are pleasantly surprised by how much dust the machine collects, while others commend the excellent customer support.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh76.67 for 12 months with select banks. Save an extra Dh220 when you apply a coupon.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57 and two years for Dh81.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
