Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance, home mapping, LiDAR navigation | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: No | Self-empty: Yes | Good for pet hair: Yes

The Shark AI robot vacuum equipped with a self-emptying base station checks all the essential boxes for a mid-range vacuum. It delivers reliable cleaning performance, has an intuitive mobile app, and generates precise home maps. Additionally, its bagless base eliminates the need for costly replacement bags, saving you money over time.

Setting up the Shark is a straightforward process: simply unpack the unit, plug in the base, and download the companion mobile app to finalize the installation. Once connected to Wi-Fi, you can control the vacuum remotely via the app, or use voice commands through Google Assistant and Alexa. During its initial “Explore Run,” the Shark creates a comprehensive map of your home, which you can refine within the app.

The Shark generated an impressively accurate floor plan of my residence, and I appreciated the “re-explore” option for refining the map as needed. After the mapping is complete, you can label rooms in your home, enabling targeted cleaning in specific areas like the bedroom while also designating “no-go” zones to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Initially, I tasked the Shark with a full clean of my entire apartment. It boasts a commendable runtime of up to 120 minutes, making it well-suited for larger homes. I was pleasantly surprised by its quiet operation compared to other robot vacuums I’ve tested. While it may require you to increase the TV volume during cleaning, its noise level is significantly lower when it’s working through longer hallways.

Moreover, the Shark adeptly navigated around the cat toys I scattered on the floor. Its object detection feature claims to avoid obstacles as small as four inches; however, I found it more efficient at maneuvering around larger items like my three-foot-long cat tunnel than the smaller mouse toys.

Even when the Shark occasionally bumped into a mouse toy, it remained unfazed. One critical aspect I evaluate in robot vacuums is their hands-free operation during cleaning sessions. The best models require little to no human intervention; they intelligently navigate the home, avoid obstacles, and automatically return to their base upon completion. During its cleaning tasks, I never felt the need to monitor the Shark.

Before running the Shark, I took the precaution of clearing the floor of clothing and charging cables, as I did with all the robot vacuums I tested. Most companion apps will typically remind users to do this before initiating a cleaning cycle.

This Shark model includes an auto-empty station that automatically empties its dustbin after each cleaning session or during a job if the bin fills up. In such cases, the Shark resumes cleaning automatically once it has emptied its bin. This feature is impressive, but the best aspect of the base is its bagless design. Unlike many other robot vacuums, Shark’s base does not require proprietary garbage bags. When it’s time to empty the base, a section easily detaches and opens to release debris, locking back in place for convenient use. This design not only enhances convenience but also significantly reduces the lifetime cost of ownership since you won’t need to purchase specialized bags regularly.

It’s worth noting that Shark offers several models similar to this one, differing primarily in color schemes, and varying self-cleaning base capacities of 30 or 60 days. The key consideration when using the machine is the clean base capacity; we recommend opting for the 60-day models if you prefer minimal interaction with your robot vacuum.

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance, home mapping | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: Yes | Self-empty: Yes | Good for pet hair: Yes

Read our full Roomba Combo j9+ review

The Roomba Combo j9+ is an outstanding combination of a robotic vacuum and mop, featuring powerful suction and deep scrubbing capabilities, all while intelligently avoiding obstacles (even pet waste!). This model surpasses its predecessor, the Roomba Combo j7+, and introduces a new Clean Base that can automatically refill its liquid tank. With the j9+, achieving sparkling clean floors requires minimal intervention on your part.

Although it comes with a higher price tag, the Roomba Combo j9+ is a cost-effective alternative to hiring a professional cleaning service. This robot is particularly beneficial for busy parents who aim to maintain tidy floors. It ranks among the best robotic vacuums and mops for pet owners due to its remarkable ability to steer clear of pet waste. Notably, if the j9+ happens to create a mess from pet droppings, iRobot will provide a replacement unit free of charge, applicable only during the first year and limited to solid waste from cats and dogs, making it a reassuring guarantee for pet owners concerned about potential mishaps.

The Roomba Combo j9+ features advanced home mapping, quickly creating an accurate layout of your home and allowing you to define room borders via the iRobot app. You can establish cleaning routines and label objects for targeted cleaning, enhancing its efficiency. Compatible with smart assistants from Amazon and Google, you can easily initiate cleaning commands through your smart speaker. While it’s not a fully automated cleaning miracle, it is the closest we’ve come to a perfect robotic vacuum and mop for comprehensive whole-home cleaning. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior Reporter

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Auto mopping, obstacle avoidance, home mapping, self-emptying and self-refilling base | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: Yes | Self-empty: Yes | Good for pet hair: Yes

Shark has quickly established itself as fierce competition for iRobot’s Roomba Combo j9+. The PowerDetect 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop operates uniquely to clean your floors, combining vacuuming and mopping in a single device. Instead of lowering a mop pad to clean hard surfaces, Shark’s design features a mop pad that remains attached and deploys when cleaning tile, wood, and other similar surfaces. During the initial setup, users will specify which areas of their home have hard flooring and which have carpet, making it a tad less automated than iRobot’s offering but requiring only a one-time setup.

Upon testing the PowerDetect, I found the setup process to be straightforward, much like other Shark robot vacuums I’ve reviewed. The robot navigated my main floor efficiently to create an initial home map. After mapping, you can choose to operate the vacuum, mop, or both, with the device first vacuuming the area before proceeding to mop the freshly cleaned surfaces.

Although the vacuum took a bit longer than expected to fill its tank before mopping, it effectively cleaned my mixed hardwood and tile flooring. I never encountered issues with the vacuum getting tangled in charging cables or stuck on furniture legs. While I often manually initiated cleanings for the PowerDetect, it’s also possible to set regular cleaning schedules or designate specific rooms for cleaning at specific times.

The NeverTouch Pro Base name is well-deserved; after the initial setup, you won’t need to interact with it until it’s time to empty or refill the unit—either emptying its debris container or replenishing the water reservoir. Shark claims the base can hold up to 60 days’ worth of vacuumed debris, which is standard for devices in this category, and can manage 30 days of liquid refill. This means you can run the PowerDetect for approximately a month without needing to tend to its base, making it ideal for those who dislike household chores or lack time to monitor a new appliance.

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance, home mapping | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: No | Self-empty: No | Good for pet hair: Yes

Dyson may have entered the robot vacuum market later than others, but it has made a notable impact with the 360 Vis Nav. This premium robot vacuum, priced at $1,200, lacks mopping features and a self-emptying base, which might limit its versatility compared to other top picks. However, two standout features set it apart: exceptional suction power and advanced obstacle avoidance.

The Dyson 360 Vis Nav boasts the strongest suction power among all robot vacuums I’ve tested, rivaling the performance of the company’s cordless stick vacuums. It effectively removed a significant amount of pet hair from my carpeted floors without triggering a “bin full” alert. Pet hair can be notoriously difficult to clean from carpets, but this hands-free cleaning machine manages it with ease.

Its obstacle avoidance capabilities are equally impressive, utilizing a 360-degree vision system that combines a camera and LED lights to navigate around furniture and create a map of your home. While no robot vacuum is entirely immune to occasionally bumping into furniture, the 360 Vis Nav performed better than most, rarely getting stuck or entangled in charging cords.

Ultimately, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav simplifies the robot vacuum experience: it excels at picking up dirt and debris while requiring minimal interaction from users, aside from initial setup. While some consumers may be willing to invest in a premium machine for its effective performance, others may find that alternatives offer better value in a crowded market.

Notably, most robot vacuums priced at $700 or more typically come with self-emptying bases and mopping functionalities, making it disappointing to pay over $1,000 without these standard features. If you’re willing to invest in a machine that excels at the fundamentals, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav is worth considering.

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: No | Self-empty: No | Good for pet hair: Yes

The iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum stands out as an affordable option suitable for the average household, delivering solid cleaning power and ease of use through its intuitive mobile app. While we won’t delve deeply here, as we have a separate guide dedicated to budget robot vacuums, it is worth mentioning that the Roomba Vac encompasses all the essential features you’d expect, paired with the convenience of iRobot’s mobile app.

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance, home mapping, stick and hand vac accessories (included) | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: No | Self-empty: Yes | Good for pet hair: Yes

Discover more about the Anker Eufy E20 review

The Anker Eufy E20 robot vacuum is a groundbreaking machine, notable for its impressive capabilities without succumbing to common pitfalls typically seen in first-generation devices. This device serves as both a robotic vacuum with a self-emptying base, and it comes with attachments that allow it to function as a cordless stick vacuum and handheld device. Simply detach the cleaning module from the robot vacuum, snap in your desired attachments, and you gain the convenience of a cordless vacuum without the need to purchase an additional device.

The E20 excels in its primary function as a robot vacuum. Anker has established a reputation for delivering high-quality robotic vacuums, and the E20 is no exception, efficiently picking up dirt, debris, and pet hair while navigating your home. In my tests, it rarely got stuck on household items like door mats and demonstrated good obstacle avoidance capabilities. Furthermore, it intelligently returns to its base to empty its built-in dustbin when it senses it is getting full, maintaining optimal cleaning performance.

As a cordless stick vacuum, its performance is adequate. It requires the highest suction setting for deep cleaning, and the build quality feels somewhat less robust. However, its compact design allows for easy use, even for quick clean-ups in your vehicle, and it handles pet hair without difficulty. This device could be precisely what users have been searching for: a dependable robot vacuum that autonomously cleans most of the time while also providing the flexibility to manually clean hard-to-reach areas.

Wi-Fi connectivity: Yes | Floor type: All floor types | Features: Obstacle avoidance, home mapping, laser navigation | Assistant support: Alexa/Google Assistant | Mopping capabilities: Yes | Self-empty: No | Good for pet hair: Yes

The Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid may not be a name you recognize immediately, but it provides a more budget-friendly alternative to well-known brands like iRobot and Shark. While not a budget machine per se, it offers excellent features typically found in higher-end models and can often be purchased at discounted prices of $549 or even $449.

Unlike some competitors, the X8 Hybrid does not come with a self-emptying bin or an option for one, as it operates solely as a standalone robotic vacuum. However, its “hybrid” designation indicates it also functions as a mop, equipped with a dustbin for debris collection and a 250-milliliter water tank for mopping cycles. This feature can be particularly advantageous for homes with extensive tile or hardwood floor areas.

In my testing, I was impressed by the ease of setup, the accuracy of its mapping capabilities, and the extensive range of features it supports. The X8 Hybrid offers four cleaning modes—auto, room, zone, and spot—and four suction levels, providing flexibility for tailored cleaning based on specific needs. When I first operated it in Pure mode, I was pleasantly surprised by its quiet operation and thorough cleaning performance, even at the lowest suction setting.

Additionally, the “tap and go” feature allows you to select specific locations on the home map via the EufyHome app, directing the robot to those areas for focused cleaning. It even includes manual control options, which is less common among robotic vacuums, enabling you to guide the machine similar to a remote-controlled car for more precise cleaning tasks.

Although it may not have the brand recognition of iRobot or Shark, the Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid stands out as a solid choice for those not needing a self-emptying base, especially if you can catch it during a sale.