The Best Cheap Robot Vacuums for 2022
Robot vacuums can cost more than $1,000, but you don't need to spend four figures to keep your floors clean. If you're pinching pennies, rest assured that there are a number of models on the market that will get the job done without breaking the bank. We've tested robot vacuums at just about every price, and there are plenty of good affordable options out there. So to help you find the best bot on a budget, we've rounded up our highest-rated robot vacuums priced less than $300.
What to Look for In a Cheap Robot Vacuum
When choosing a robot vacuum, you'll want to consider factors like battery life, size, and suction power. In terms of battery life, most robot vacuums these days can run for at least 60 minutes on a charge, but if you live in a larger home, you'll want to look for one that can last 90 minutes or longer. Nearly all of the models we've chosen here pass the 90-minute mark, but the best battery life award goes to the iLife A9, which lasted 102 minutes on a charge in testing.
Some of the most affordable robot vacuums we've tested are also among the most compact, which is a welcome feature if you have low-profile furniture. Before deciding which one to buy, it's a good idea to measure the distance from the floor to the base of your couch to see which models, if any, will fit under it. The Eufy RoboVac 11s is the shortest robot vacuum we've tested at just 2.8 inches, but there are several other affordable and highly rated models under 3 inches out there, including the Eufy RoboVac 30C and the iLife A4s Pro.
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In terms of suction, most models on this list offer at least at least 1,000Pa of power, but the Wyze Robot Vacuum offers an impressive 2,100Pa. Robot vacuums with less suction power but good battery life and obstacle avoidance abilities can still do an excellent job cleaning.
iLife A9(Photo: Angela Moscaritolo)On the high end of the robot vacuum market, you can find models with premium features like AI-powered obstacle avoidance, automatic bin emptying, cameras for remote home monitoring, and home mapping for virtual boundaries. Robot vacuums in the sub-$300 range don't usually offer these features, but you can still find some basic perks such as app connectivity, smart navigation, and voice control.
With a Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuum, you're able to start, stop, and schedule cleaning jobs from your phone. Wi-Fi is fast becoming a standard feature these days, but if you don't need or want it, you can snag a super-basic bot that offers good performance for less than $200. The iLife A4s Pro is one such option; at $189.99, it's the most affordable vacuum on this list.
Roomba 675 companion appIn addition to app control, many affordable robot vacuums these days support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for added convenience. If you also own a compatible smart speaker, you'll be able to control these vacuums using your voice.
Meanwhile, if you have carpeting and/or a large home, you might want to opt for a model with smart navigation abilities. Vacuums with this capability, such as the iLife A9, clean in a methodical path, making straight lines instead of zigzagging in a random pattern. This allows them to clean your home more efficiently, and will result in neat vacuum lines on your carpets.
Wyze Robot Vacuum(Photo: Angela Moscaritolo)In this price range, you can't expect every feature under the sun, so you might have to make some trade-offs. When I bought my first robot vacuum, I prioritized strong suction power and smart navigation over Wi-Fi support and a compact design. But you might want a model that you can remotely control with your phone, or a smaller one that can pass under your couches and push out pet toys.
For more, see our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
When Is the Best Time to Get a Cheap Robot Vacuum?
The biggest tip I can offer anyone buying a robot vacuum on a budget is to wait for a sale, and search around because they are frequently marked down at Amazon and Walmart in particular. In our reviews, we note the MSRP of each model, but you can often find them for less at various points throughout the year.
Finally, our individual reviews go over all the specs and features of each model, so be sure to check them out. When you find the one that fits your needs and budget, head over to our essential robot vacuum tips. And if you're looking for a robot mop, we've got you covered.
