We used to think that a robot vacuum cleaner with mapping had a price tag of around $1,000. What if we say that you can get a decent one for a price of less than $500? Sounds cool?
Why the robots with mapping ability are better?
The robots with mapping follow a purposeful back-and-forth navigation pattern, unlike other robots that randomly run around the cleaning area and might leave some zones untouched. A purposeful pattern makes the robots more efficient and they finish cleaning faster. Besides, those models resume cleaning in big homes in case they didn’t cover the whole area on one charge. By resuming we mean the robot leaves cleaning to recharge and when it’s done the robot returns to the same spot to finish the cleaning cycle.
For big homes, we recommend buying a robot with mapping
Mapping technologies can be based on a:
- Camera
- LDS laser (Lidar)
- Gyroscope
The LDS creates the most accurate map. The camera needs lighting to create a better map and the robots with a camera are shorter than those with Lidar.
A gyroscope helps the robot to navigate better but it doesn’t create a precise map. The robot creates a map as it cleans by sensing the obstacles on its way when a camera and LDS sensor creates a map before the robot starts cleaning.
I did not include a camera-guided robot vacuum in the list as there are no budget options for around $300 on the market.
Lidar advantages
- Creates the most accurate map among other technologies.
- The most accurate at “seeing” virtual boundaries and zoned cleaning.
- Ability to work in the dark.
The LDS-guided robots are the best for a complicated layout with hard-to-reach zones and many obstacles.
Camera advantages
- The robots with a camera have short bodies and fit under most furniture.
Those that have a built-in camera are shorter so if you have furniture with a low gap, have a look at those with a camera.
Gyroscope advantages
- Price. This technology is the cheapest so you can get a gyroscope-guided robot vacuum for around $200.
A gyroscope-guided robot vacuum normally costs less and would be ideal for homes with minimum furniture and no zones that have to be blocked as they normally lack no-go zones.
Top 5 Budget Robot Vacuums With Mapping & Self-Emptying Base
| Features | 360 S8 Plus | Roborock E5 | eufy Clean G40 Hybrid+ | Roomba i3+ | Dreame D9 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operation time (min) | 250 | 150 | 100 | 75 | 150 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 5,000 | 5,200 | N/A | 1,800 | 5,200 |
| Suction power (Pa) | 2,700 | 2,000 | 2,500 | N/A | 4,000 |
| Dustbin capacity (ml) | 350 | 640 | N/A | 400 | 570 |
| Water tank capacity (ml) | 300 | - | 130 | - | 270 |
| Disposable bag capacity (ml) | 4,000 | - | 3,200 | 1,000 | - |
| Mapping | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Map saving | yes | no | no | yes | yes |
| Mapping technology | LDS | gyroscope | gyroscope | gyroscope | LDS |
| Recharge & resume | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mopping | yes | yes (optional) | yes | no | yes |
| Wi-Fi | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Virtual walls | yes | no | no | no | yes |
| Specified area | yes | no | no | yes | yes |
| Amazon Alexa / Google Home support | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scheduling | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Barrier-cross height (in / mm) | 0.79 / 20 | 0.79 / 20 | 0.79 / 20 | 0.79 / 20 | 0.79 / 20 |
| HEPA | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Carpet identification | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Voice alert | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Price | $499.98 | $239.99 | $429.99 | $399 | $299.99 |
There are 5 different models three of which support a self-emptying base and as a result those have a higher price tag.
360 S8 Plus Robot Vacuum
The 360 S8 Plus is affordable yet well-built, has advanced navigation, and overall is a good robot for the price. It uses an electric water tank and a standard mopping system. This is the only model in the lineup that supports a self-emptying base.
The robot is not suitable for homes with medium-pile carpets but would be a good buy for homes with mostly hard floors.
The 360 S8 is a long-lasting robot for big homes, hard floor and thin carpets
Roborock E5
Roborock E5
Strong suction and carpet identification
The Roborock E5 is one of the best budget cleaners on the market equipped with a gyroscope that can do mopping and sweeping, identifies carpeted surface, and has strong suction. This is also the only robot in the lineup that doesn’t have mopping attachments in the box.
The Roborock E5 identifies carpeted surface by boosting suction to provide better cleaning performance and save battery life.
The Roborock E5 works on thicker carpets
The HEPA filter can be washed with water, the Xiaowa is safe for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. The Roborock E4 is a good cleaner for small homes with a clean minimalist design, carpets, and hard floors.
For those who want a Lidar-guided robot, have a look at the Roborock S4 Max. It costs a little over $400 but has more advanced navigation.
eufy RoboVac G40 Hybrid+
The eufy Clean G40 Hybrid+ has a thin body thanks to which it can fit under most furniture and is the first in the gyroscope lineup that supports a self-emptying base. Because of not being as accurate as Lidar-guided ones, the eufy is not efficient in big homes yet for the price you get mopping, mapping, and a self-emptying base.
The robot is not recommended for thick carpets.
For small homes with pets
Roomba i3+
A bristles dual-roller system is perfect for homes with pet and human hair. It also does a good job on hard floors and medium-pile carpets. Unlike premium robots, the i3+ does not have no-go lines but can be sent to clean a specific room. It also lacks a mopping feature and because of a small battery is not suitable for big homes but as a vacuum, the Roomba i3+ does a good job.
The only with a dual roller system that is easy to maintain
Dreame D9 Pro
The Dreame D9 Pro is a very budget robot vacuum that has almost all the features of high-end robots. Coming with mopping attachments, the robot does a good job vacuuming hard floors and carpets. It is the easiest-to-connect-to-the-app robot vacuum I have personally tested. The robot has advanced navigation, shows good cleaning results, and overall has the best value for under $400.
Frequently asked questions
There are so many questions people consistently ask about robot vacuums. We tried to pick the most common ones to help you decide which robot is the best for you.
Which should I get for my two-story house?
The best option would be getting a robot vacuum that saves more than one map and has a big battery. That would either be the 360 S8 Plus or Dreame D9.
Do I need to keep a traditional vacuum or the robot vacuum would be enough?
The robot vacuums are not as powerful as your traditional vacuum but they have lots of advantages. You can run it when you are not at home. You can run it every day and still be surprised by how much dirt it will pick up.
Those machines are essential for those who don’t want to do vacuuming (or mopping) manually. By running it every other day you decrease the need to vacuum with your traditional cleaner.
Do I need a robot vacuum with mopping ability?
Keep in mind, the robot vacuums with mopping are not able to get rid of stubborn stains. They do the job pretty good tho by maintaining your floors clean for as long as possible.
If you have a small area of hard floors you might not need a robot with mopping but this option is good to have.
I live in a big house, which robot vacuum do I need?
Have a look at the robots with long runtime like the 360 S8 Plus or Dreame D9. The others either have a small battery or is guided by a gyroscope and might get lost in a big house. The 360 S8 Plus is good if you don't have think carpets.
I have one high-pile carpet in my bedroom. Can I make the robot avoid that area?
If you want the robot to avoid that area, you can get any of the cleaners in the list that support no-go zones and set one around the carpet. Another option is simply closing the door to the bedroom but in this case, you have one room that needs to be cleaned separately.
What does suction power mean? Do I need to buy the most powerful robot vacuum?
Strong suction is good for medium-pile carpets and pet owners. If you have a pet and carpets, pet hair (or long human hair) might get embedded into carpet and be tough to get rid of. In this case, you need a robot vacuum with stronger suction.
If your flooring is solid and you have no carpets, you can get something cheaper with weaker suction.
My wife has long hair and we have a dog and a cat. Which robot would be the best for us?
The best option would be getting a robot vacuum with a self-emptying base which is expensive, a bigger dustbin, and a cleaning brush that is easy to maintain.
Overall all of them are able to deal with hair.
If you are struggling to choose yours, leave a comment down below, and I will try to help you decide which would be the best for you.