Robot Vacuum Deals: A Simple Definition

Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Robot Vacuum Deals

Now is your chance to own a robot vacuum. CNET's top models are on sale this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with savings of up to 57%.

The Roborock Q7 Max offers strong pressure and smart robot vacuums mapping using app-based no-go zones, and its 180-minute runtime is awe-inspiring. It also automatically refills and self-empties its water tank.

1. iRobot Roomba j7+

The Roomba j7+, iRobot’s smartest cheap robot vacuum cleaner to date, is the Roomba J7+. The most significant innovation, however, is its camera-based obstacle detection system. This uses AI to detect objects like charging cords and shoes. It's the first robot to send you pictures of the objects that it encounters, meaning you can tell the robot to avoid it.

The Combo J7+ is the best automatic floor cleaner robot to mop we've ever tested, removing spills and dirt with ease without leaving any trace that was there. The iRobot application makes it simple to control. It can schedule cleanings and create Keep Out Zones so that it doesn't vacuum in areas you don’t would like. It's compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can start and stop it using voice.

The design is also more appealing than the competition. It features a sleek, high-end piece that looks like an toy, not a loud and obnoxious robot vacuum cleaner quiet (Source). And the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal System is self-emptying which is great to speed up cleaning.

In our tests the j7+ was quick to remove dust, dirt and pet hair. The counter-rotating rubber brushes kept the debris in its place instead of scattering it on the floor. It was able to capture small gravel, sand and even a tiny bit of grit. Most robots can't accomplish this feat. And it did all this without getting tangled up in our pet's hair shedding.

The j7+, while not as sophisticated as the Roomba S9 for $1,217+ Self-Emptying Vacuum Robot from iRobot, and it can't clean the stairs, is still an excellent choice for those who require both a vacuum and a mop. It's not too expensive, and the IRobot app makes it user-friendly.

The iRobot Home App is easy to use but we found it less reliable than other robotic cleaner applications. It can take some time to download updates, and at times it's difficult to tell whether the update is working until you've seen it in the action.

2. Roborock Q5+

If you are looking for a robot vacuum cleaner that does more than simply clean your floors, a hybrid is the best option. This type of robot typically has a built-in water tank that allows them to automated vacuum and mop your house simultaneously. These bots also come with various additional features such as smart mapping and small object avoidance and the ability to wash and re-dry mopping pads. The negative is that they tend to be pricey at full retail price, but on Black Friday and Cyber Monday they are often reduced in price.

Roborock makes some of our favorite robot vacuums and the Q5+ is no exception. It's their cheapest auto-empty model, and although it lacks certain features found on higher-end models (like no-go zones and multi-story memory) it's still an excellent choice if you're willing to compromise a bit in order to save hundreds of dollars.

The Q5+ is notably soft around obstacles like wall legs and table legs and walls, which makes it a good option for homes with a lot of furniture. It's also extremely thorough in cleaning up dust bunnies, which is an area where many cheaper robot vacuums can really be a bit sloppy. The Q5+'s navigation system is also top-quality, with a few misses on walls and corners.

Like other Roborock devices as well, the Q5+ can be controlled with a handful of buttons on the device itself or through the Roborock app. The app lets you begin and stop cleanings or schedules, establish virtual barriers and no-go zones, and adjust your home map, or re-label rooms.

If you choose to purchase the Q5+, it comes with a new auto-empty dock that's specifically designed to make this robot easy to maintain. Installing it requires a screwdriver, but once in place it can be accomplished with relative ease. It also has an impressive LCD display which is great to have when you're setting up schedules or adjusting settings. This feature isn't essential for most people however it can help you effectively keep the robot's maintenance schedules.

3. Narwal Freo X Ultra

The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is a smart well-rounded mop and vacuum. It's capable of mopping and vacuuming. Its design and functionality are some of the best on the market - but it's also pricey.

The base station is attractive and hides it when not in use, and its size is relatively compact. But the station's biggest selling factor is its ability to automate numerous tasks and functions that other robots leave to you. It stores clean and dirty water, electrolyzes and heats the water (which most other robovacs require you to do), empties the dustbin after vacuuming, and helps keep your robot charged and clean.

Its vacuuming capabilities are impressive, too. It's the only robovacs that I've tested that does a really good job of collecting debris from unfinished floors, and it's not as loud as the more expensive Roomba 980 or iRobot 900 series.

But the Freo X Ultra has its faults, especially when it comes to navigation. Its LiDAR and laser sensors aren't as reliable as other robovacs. This means it can get stuck or confused in certain rooms or corners of your home. It's also unable to climb stairs as well as other models and isn't equipped with a dock that can create a cleaning area for plush carpets.

The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for those looking for a robot vacuum that does it all.

If you're looking to save money or don't mind the limitations of the robot floor cleaner, there are alternatives available. Many of the eufy models cost substantially less. The eufy Qrevo Curv, for example is less expensive and offers a similar in-app experience with additional features such as stairs, a fully-function dock, and a better overall performance when vacuuming floors as well as high and low-pile carpets.

4. Eufy RoboVac g30

Eufy is an Anker company that has a long history of creating robot vacuums with the right combination of features, performance, and price. The G30 Hybrid offers a powerful cleaning power for hard and carpet flooring, and a mopping function at an affordable price. It's simple to set up, just attach one of the side brushes, turn it on and connect the charging dock. The app walks you through several steps to connect it to your Wi-Fi and then the G30 is ready to go. You'll need to place the dock near an outlet for power and ample space for it to move around but.

The G30 is small, 2.85 inches tall to be precise and will fit under many couches and other low-clearance furniture. The design is less flashy than some of the rival models, with sleek black finishes and three buttons that are physical such as Auto Cleaning start/pause, Recharge and Spot Cleaning (which cleans the area in a spiral pattern for two minutes). It is also possible to connect the G30 to Amazon Alexa or Google Home to do unscheduled cleaning with voice commands.

The way the G30 cleans is what sets it apart from its competitors. It makes use of an integrated map to make an image of the unmovable items that are in its path. It can remember the items it has cleaned and the areas it was unable to access. When it's time to recharge, it automatically returns to its base and resumes cleaning from where it left off.

The eufy G30 isn't without faults however. The iRobot Roomba is built better and has lower cost of operation. It charges faster, has a similar battery life, and performs better on bare flooring or carpet with a low pile. It comes with a larger dust bin that does not require more emptying. It also comes with boundary strips that keep it from certain areas. The G30 however is less expensive and a lot more manageable to maintain. Its smaller container means it doesn't have to be empty as often, and it has less difficulty with bulky items like cereal.