How to Find the best robot vacuum under 200 Budget Robot Vacuum

A bargain robotic vacuum can be a great value. Beware of the maintenance costs that could be more than expected: tangles in brushes, clogged air inlets and empty dust bins can quickly make your automatic floor cleaner [More methods] cleaning dream into a chore.

For many, the best budget robot is the iRobot Combo. It provides the same hands-free experience, but at less than half the price.

Suction Power

Some models in this price range have sufficient suction for basic vacuuming, however others may need a little help with a handheld nozzle in order to reach into the smallest crevices and cracks. If you live in a house with primarily hard flooring or [Redirect Only] carpet, a budget-friendly self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuum should suffice. If you have a mix of floors, have rugs or pets that shed, you will be able to get the best results with an advanced robot vacuum.

Some budget models come with a water tank and mopping capability, further increasing their versatility. The latest Dyson R7050C model for instance, has very good navigation scores in CR's tests and a generous bin of 770ml, but it is louder than many of the other robots we've tested and does not have mopping capabilities. The smaller Eufy Roborock Q5 Pro, by contrast, is relatively quiet and has an auto-empty dock. It also has a water tank, a powerful suction power of 5,500pascals and a large bin can be filled with cleaning solution to make it an efficient mopping machine. The Q5 Pro can be controlled by the smart app which allows you to mop or vacuum a space or sequence of rooms or an entire area. You can also set up no-go zones, and set suction settings to your preferences for each room.

The budget Shark ION is a great choice for those seeking something simple, affordable and reliable. It's not as advanced as other models, having an uncomplicated app and basic mapping capabilities, but it does have excellent navigation and cleaning abilities. It's also among few robots that differentiate between carpets and hard flooring. The 300ml dustbin is only emptied once every 30 days.

If you're looking for an upgraded model that can mop, vacuum and create a map of your home to help you avoid obstacles look at some of the most expensive options in this price range. The iRobot Roomba 650 and 750 offer a powerful suction force as well as a comb that is cleverly designed for pet hair and other dirt, as well as in-app scheduling and voice control with your smart home assistant. Samsung Cleanbot SV8000 offers a outstanding cleaning capabilities at a reasonable price.

Navigation Efficiency

A robot vacuum cleaner that is budget-friendly can be as effective as more expensive models, so long as it is able to maneuver through your home and avoid obstacles. Our lab technicians utilized an instrument for tracking however, it uses random navigation instead of a method that is designed to prevent objects from being stuck to furniture legs. It may not be able get around a tight spot or chair leg as well as a robotic system with mapping capabilities.

cleaning robots Performance

When you're shopping for a robot vacuum, it's crucial to balance cost with performance. The cheapest models might not include advanced features such as mapping however, you can find many that perform very well in cleaning your home. Pay attention to the size and capacity of the robot's dustbin. You'll need to have enough space to hold all the trash that a robot accumulates, including dirt, pet dander and hair.

You'll also need a robot vacuum that can remove staining from carpets. We test every model in the ZDNET robot vacuum chart to determine their ability to lift dirt and hair off carpet, and the best models have a specific brush designed to dig into the fibers and pull out dirt.

The majority of budget models are successful at picking up messes on plain floors and in low-pile carpet, but struggle to clear larger chunks of pet hair and debris from carpets with higher pile. These models tend to have a less powerful suction however, they can be effective in removing particles from tight spaces like corners and underneath furniture.

The iLife V3s Pro is the most affordable vacuuming model, scoring high marks in our testing due to its ability to remove hair and dirt from carpets. It's also among the quieter models we test and simple to use. It has an opening for suction which collects debris instead of pushing it through the brush bar, and it is able to adjust power to match the surface. It also has a side brush with three bristles that push hair and debris into the direction of the robot, however it's not as effective at as it does in picking up fine dust.

Find a model that has both vacuum and mop functions, like the Combo j9 Plus. This robot can simultaneously mop and vacuum, and you can customize the settings for each room. It's pricier than other robot vacuums we have in our list, but it has a camera on the front that allows for a more precise mapping and better obstacle avoidance for things like power cords or cat urine.

Maintenance

Robot vacuums are handy however they come with price. They require regular maintenance, from emptying their dustbin to changing filters and cleaning the brush bar. They may also get caught in cords and fall off the stairs, which is why they need to be monitored carefully.

The most affordable robot vacuums reduce these issues by requiring only minimal supervision from the user. The top models come with navigation systems that stay clear of objects and keep themselves clear of hazards, such as tangled electrical cords and dropped food items. They also make use of a mix of sensors to map rooms and create maps that show which areas they've cleaned previously to ensure they don't re-clean the same spots again.

Even the cheapest robotic vacuums can give a decent clean If you try them and don't be put off by the price of more expensive models. Our top budget choices are from leading OEMs like iRobot Roborock Dreame. You can be sure that they've been created with care and are built to last.

If you're willing to invest more, consider mopping with a robot. These machines can scrub floors using a wet cloth and remove the most stubborn stains. They can also be used in combination with a mop pad to tackle tough jobs like dried coffee.

The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is the most affordable mopping robot that we have reviewed in our roundup. It has a neat and uncluttered design, but it also has all the features and performance of a top robovac. During our tests the RV30 was able to navigate without hitting furniture and also creating detailed maps of its flooring that it can refer to when it runs. It's the only budget robot we've tested to include this feature, although the iRobot Roomba has similar capabilities for mapping, and an in-app setting that guides you through the process step-by-step.

Whether you choose the top-rated robot vacuum or a cheaper option, always remember to maintain your robovac regularly. You should empty the trash bin and clean the filter after each cleaning session (refer to the owner's manual or the site of the manufacturer for more details). Replace the battery if required and test its Wi-Fi connectivity.