Some individuals find vacuuming to be an incredibly satisfying and almost Zen-like experience. We’re not here to judge. Those neat lines on the carpet, which serve as visible proof of cleanliness, can be quite rewarding. But for the majority of us, cleaning our homes and removing dirt, crumbs, pet fur, and dust bunnies is simply a chore that we would gladly outsource.
This is where robot vacuums come in. For nearly 20 years, they have promised to do the cleaning while you focus on other tasks. Switching to a robot vacuum may seem like an obvious choice, but experts warn that it’s not that simple.
“When you use an upright or canister vacuum, you are in control, can see it cleaning, and can determine where to start and stop,” says Michael Silva Nash, the vice president of operations for Molly Maid. He explains that he has witnessed robot vacuums smearing dog poop across carpeting and even under furniture.
There are other factors to consider as well. For example, Teresa Mears from Fort Lauderdale bought a $200 robot vacuum in 2016 to help control pet fur from her four cats. While the device was easy to set up and did a decent job of reducing cat hair, it frequently got stuck or trapped in certain areas and couldn’t complete the job properly.
“I would also have to pick up everything off the floor before using it because it wasn’t very sophisticated,” she says.
Eventually, Mears switched to a cordless stick vacuum because it seemed more practical. It was better at reaching corners and under furniture, and it efficiently cleaned up cat hair. Although Mears now uses a cleaning service, she says she wouldn’t rule out purchasing another robot vacuum in the future, depending on the price.
Let’s take a closer look at the costs, strengths, and weaknesses of hand-operated and robot vacuums.
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The powerful suction of a hand-operated vacuum makes it difficult to beat when it comes to deep-cleaning carpets. “Not only do you have control over the process and can see what you’re cleaning, but you can also adjust the vacuum’s height for different surfaces,” says Julien Levesque, a vice president at SharkNinja. Attachments and tools can be used to clean furniture, window treatments, and other surfaces, according to Silva Nash.
According to Mary H.J. Farrell, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, these vacuums can range in price from $100 to $1,200, depending on the features such as attachments, filters, on/off brush roll switches, and height adjustment. In most cases, a vacuum priced between $150 and $250 should be sufficient for most cleaning needs.
However, upright models tend to be loud and heavy, weighing between 10 to 20 pounds. They can also be difficult to carry up and down stairs.
Stick vacuums are a lighter option that are suitable for quick cleanups and surface cleaning. Most corded models range in price from $200 to $300, while cordless options can cost between $400 and $900. The main complaint about cordless stick vacuums is that older models tend to run out of power within 20 minutes, says Silva Nash. Newer models promise 45 to 60 minutes of run time on a single charge.
Robot vacuums have significantly improved since Mears had her initial experience. Newer models are smarter and use lasers and cameras to map and navigate rooms. Some can also detect when the dust canister is full and return to the docking station to empty it before resuming cleaning. They are also easier to set up, making them a viable option even for those who are less tech-savvy.
Entry-level plug-and-play robot vacuums are capable of performing decent surface cleaning. Many of them can be paired with a smartphone app, allowing you to schedule cleaning for specific areas while you sleep. They also have built-in ledge detectors or sensors to prevent them from falling down stairs or bumping into furniture.
However, if you’re a tech enthusiast and are willing to spend more time and money on programming, there are robot vacuums available that can map your home and clean specific rooms on command. According to Silva Nash, the most expensive robot vacuums have voice command functionality, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a sensor to detect when the canister is full.
Robot vacuums are best suited for non-carpeted flooring, such as tile, laminate, or hardwood, says Farrell, as they lack the power to deep clean carpets. Despite their relatively small size (about 13 inches in diameter, approximately the size of a medium pizza), they can get stuck under furniture or tangled in electrical cords, says Levesque. These vacuums are typically limited to a single story of the home and need to be carried to different floors.
Robot vacuums can range in price from less than $200 for basic models to as much as $1,000 for those with multiple extra features. According to Levesque, expect to pay at least $300 to $450 for a decent robot vacuum.
Whether it’s a hand-operated vacuum or a robot vacuum, it should be able to clean effectively, be easy to use and maintain, and fit into your everyday routine, says Levesque. When searching for a vacuum, consider factors such as the size of your home, the number of stories, whether you have pets, if you prefer manual control or hands-off cleaning, and if you require deep cleaning or just minimal dusting.
No vacuum will tick all the boxes, but these answers will help guide your decision. And you don’t have to break the bank to get a vacuum that performs well, says Farrell. If you’re having trouble deciding and your budget allows, consider having both options available.
“A robot vacuum is a good backup to a standard vacuum. It won’t replace your upright, but it can be an option for in between manual vacuuming sessions,” Farrell says.
It’s important not to get caught up in all the fancy features. Sometimes, less is more.
“There’s always something newer and better entering the market,” says Silva Nash. “All vacuums are designed to suction up dirt and debris, and you may not need an infrared light to point out where the dust is. Instead, consider purchasing both types with fewer features and use them accordingly. Maybe you can’t vacuum every day, but a robot can.”
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