Stephen Schenck / Android Authority
Inflation has become a fact of life these days. Smartphone prices have steadily risen over the past few years and the same is true for most other electronics, from headphones to consoles. Still, there are a few product categories like televisions that have managed to buck this trend. And over the past couple of weeks, I’ve found out that robot vacuums are another exception.
Sure, you could spend thousands on a cutting-edge robot vacuum that can physically lift socks and other debris, but most people don’t need that. Even as someone who lives on the bleeding edge of tech, I’m perfectly content with a vacuum that just keeps my floors clean. And the good news is that robot vacuums have become shockingly accessible. But shopping for one is confusing: you’ll find a myriad of brands, some of which you might’ve never seen before, and model names that don’t make much sense.
I found out about all of this the hard way after I moved into a new rental last month and started shopping for a new robot vacuum. It took hours to sift through the available options on Amazon ranging from budget to mid-range, so here’s everything I learned.
How much would you spend on a robot vacuum in 2025? 33 votes $200 or less 30 % $200 to $400 45 % $400 to 600 12 % Over $600 12 %
Robot vacuums are a commodity, and that’s good news
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
The last time I shopped for a robot vacuum was in 2019, when only a handful of models existed from brands like Xiaomi and Roborock. American brands like iRobot have technically been around for longer, and Roomba is indeed a household name, but the company’s models lacked features like LIDAR mapping and mopping at the time. You needed two different robots to vacuum and mop your floors separately, while Roborock offered that functionality in a single model.
Fast forward to today, and it’s not surprising that Roborock’s vacuums occupy some of the top spots on Amazon. Scroll a bit, though, and you’ll discover a sea of different models from other brands like Dreame, MOVA, Narwal, and eufy. And unlike half a decade ago, all of these robot vacuums from different manufacturers have competitive specs. The only problem? They don’t really communicate what separates a $200 model from a $600 one or even beyond.
For instance, I wanted a vacuum with advanced mopping features like pads that can spin for thorough cleaning and lift to avoid carpets. But simultaneously, I didn’t want a bulky docking station that would take up a lot of space in my apartment. This is an odd feature mix, but the sheer choice on the market in 2025 means that I could find what I wanted with relative ease.
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