Consider this before buying a cheaper robot vacuum cleaner
Navigation & Obstacles
Something that you need to keep an eye on when buying a slightly cheaper robot vacuum cleaner is the robot's ability to navigate and avoid obstacles. If you have a difficult to navigate home with obstacles such as wires, you may encounter some problems with a cheaper robot vacuum cleaner.
Emptying station
We feel that a modern robot vacuum cleaner needs an emptying station to facilitate one's everyday life, so we have only listed robot vacuum cleaners where it is included. If you are not in need of this, in most cases you can buy only the robot to come down further in price.
Mopping
This is something you often get a thumbs up on with the slightly cheaper variants. Consider how big your need for mopping is before you strike.
Apartment size
Find out how many square meters you need to clean, and then count off a little from the manufacturer's figures. You don't want to end up in a position where your robot has to go back to the charging station to recharge before it resumes cleaning. Then you risk tripling the total time.
If you are looking for the best budget option for a robot vacuum cleaner, then you have come to the right place. We understand the importance of finding affordable solutions that still deliver high performance. In this article, we will explore the best budget robot vacuum cleaners on the market and how they can help you in your everyday life.
Dreame D10 Plus
An updated D9 with some minor improvements
The Dreame D10 Plus combines good suction power with a quiet and efficient self-emptying station. It also wet-dries and works for up to 45 days without maintenance, making it an affordable solution for households of all sizes.
Self-draining station with DualBoost
With a self-emptying station that holds up to 2.5 litres of dust, the Dreame D10 Plus can operate for up to 45 days without having to empty it manually. The station is very efficient and makes sure to empty the robot of all dust. Thanks to dual channels, it does not sound as much as others can do.
Powerful suction capacity
With 4000 Pa suction power, the Dreame D10 Plus can handle both large and small dirt particles, making it effective on both hard floors and carpets. This high suction power ensures that your home will be sparkling clean, even in deeper carpets.
Advanced LiDAR navigation
Thanks to LiDAR navigation, the D10 Plus can accurately map your home and plan its route efficiently. Unlike the Dreame Z10 Pro, the D10 Plus lacks the 3D sensor to be able to avoid objects.
Long battery life
With a battery life of up to 3h, the D10 Plus can clean larger surfaces without interruption. When it needs to be charged, it automatically returns to its base station and continues cleaning when fully charged.
Two-in-one cleaning
The D10 Plus combines vacuuming and mopping in one unit. This feature gives you a better cleaning and is especially useful on hard floors where a wet wipe can remove residual dirt and stains. This mop is only pulled across the floor without any type of vibration, but better than nothing.
Roborock Q5 Max+
Roborock's entry-level model that avoids obstacles
Roborock knows what they are doing and this is noticeable. The Q5 Max+ inherits many technologies through Roborock's flagship models and maintains a high build quality.
Powerful suction power of 5500 Pa
Roborock Q5 Max+ delivers powerful suction capacity of 5500 Pa, which means it can handle everything from dust to major dirt, even on carpets. It also automatically adjusts the suction strength depending on the substrate, ensuring effective cleaning.
Self-emptying with the new RockDock
With the self-emptying station, you don't have to worry about emptying the dust container for several weeks. Roborock Q5 Max+ automatically empties its container into RockDock, which can hold up to 7 weeks of dirt and dust. The dust container should also be adapted for longer animal hair with a size of 770ml.
Advanced LiDAR navigation
LiDAR technology accurately maps your home, allowing Q5 Max+ to plan its cleaning. You can also customize the map directly in the app by setting zones, virtual walls, and scheduling cleanups. The robot can also follow the direction of your floors to properly access any crevices.
Long battery life and multi-floor support
With up to 4 hours of battery life, the Q5 Max+ can clean large surfaces without recharging. It also has support for saving maps for multiple floors, making it a great choice for larger homes with different planes.
Voice assistant
If you use Alexa, Google Home or Siri, you can also control the robot with these voice assistants.
eufy Clean X8 Pro
Smart robot vacuum cleaner for home with pets
Eufy Clean X8 Pro is a dual-turbine robot vacuum cleaner for powerful cleaning, ideal for homes with pets thanks to its Active Detangling™ brush. With AI control and a perfectly good battery life, it navigates efficiently and can be controlled via app or voice assistants.
Double turbines for increased suction power
The Eufy Clean X8 Pro has two turbines that together deliver a total suction power of 2x 4,000 Pa, making it effective for trapping dust, dirt and pet hair on all floor types.
Get rid of hair tangles
The patented Active Detangling™ brush automatically untangles the hairs so you don't have to clean the brush as often. Works well on carpets with lots of animal hair.
AI Map™ 2.0 technology
With advanced AI Map™ 2.0 technology, the robot can create a detailed map of your home and plan the most efficient cleaning route. This means that every corner is cleaned thoroughly and no area is left uncleaned.
App and voice control
Use the eufy app to schedule cleaning, control the robot in real time, and customize cleaning areas. The Clean X8 Pro can also be controlled by voice via Alexa and Google Assistant, but lacks support for Siri.
Good battery life
With a battery life of up to 3h per charge, the Eufy Clean X8 Pro can clean larger surfaces without interruption. And, as with many other robotic vacuum cleaners of this class, it returns to the base station when the battery level becomes low and continues cleaning when fully charged. Like the Dreame D10 Plus, this robot manages to clean for 45 days without you having to do anything.
Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing a Budget Class Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Buying a budget class robot vacuum cleaner can be an excellent option for those who want to simplify your everyday life without spending a fortune. But it is important to understand that these vacuum cleaners come with their limitations compared to more expensive models. To help you make an informed choice, we will go through all the important factors that you should consider before deciding to buy a robot vacuum cleaner in the lower price category.
Make sure you have the right expectations
When choosing a budget class robot vacuum cleaner, it is crucial that you have the right expectations. These models don't offer the same premium features as more expensive options, and it's important to understand what you're going to compromise on.
- Understand the limitations of your robot
A budget-class robot vacuum cleaner will not perform as well as more expensive models in terms of suction power, navigation and smart features. It can still be an excellent addition to your cleaning, but you need to be prepared to make some concessions. - Adapt the choice to your home
Before buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it's good to think about how your home looks. If you live in a small apartment with hard floors, a budget model may fit perfectly. However, if you have a lot of rooms, carpets and various obstacles, you may need to consider whether the robot will cope with these challenges. A simpler model may not be able to handle thick carpets or small items on the floor as well as a high-end vacuum cleaner.
Clean to clean
Budget models come with simpler navigation systems. One of the first features that is often compromised on is the ability to avoid obstacles effectively. While more expensive robot vacuums are often equipped with advanced technology such as lidar sensors or camera-based systems, budget models typically rely on simpler sensors to find their way around the home.
- Prepare your home
With a cheaper robot vacuum cleaner, it's important that you help it on the trot by picking off objects that might interfere with its rampage. It can be anything from cables and socks to small items such as toys or books. Ensuring that the floor is free of obstacles before starting the robot will greatly improve its performance. - Traps for a budget robot
Cables and low obstacles such as carpet edges or furniture can often be a trap for a simpler robot vacuum cleaner. Therefore, you should make sure that there is as free a path as possible. Some budget models can get stuck more easily than premium robots, so it's important to be aware of this.
Complement your cleaning
When investing in a cheaper robot vacuum cleaner, you should be aware that it will not cope with everything on its own. Some areas, especially corners and edges, can be difficult for the robot to reach.
- Complement with manual cleaning
To ensure that your home gets properly clean, it may be necessary to supplement the robot cleaning with a manual vacuum cleaner. Shank vacuums are a popular addition to robot vacuums, especially since many of them nowadays have built-in mops, making them useful for deeper cleaning. If you are interested in such a product, you can read our test of best shank vacuum cleaners with mop. - Dealing with more difficult areas
Budget robots often find it difficult to access in tight corners or around furniture. A model with a side brush can help pick up dust in hard-to-reach areas, but this is usually not enough. A good solution may be to manually vacuum these areas once a week.
Battery life and charging
One of the most significant differences between budget class robot vacuum cleaners and those of the premium segment is battery life. Budget models often have less powerful batteries, which means they can't clean as long without needing to be recharged.
- Short cleaning sessions
With a budget robot, you may need to divide the cleaning into several rounds, especially if you have a larger home. More expensive models can manage to clean larger surfaces on a single charge, while cheaper models may need to return to the charging station half the time. Therefore, it is good to check the indicated battery life of the robot and compare it with the surface of your home. - Automatic charging
An important feature that may be missing on cheaper robot vacuum cleaners is automatic charging and resumption of cleaning. On more expensive models, the robot can return to its charging station and then continue cleaning where it left off. This can be a time-saving feature, especially in larger households.
Suction power and dust container
Suction power is critical to how well a robot vacuum cleaner can pick up dirt and dust, especially from carpets and other textiles. A budget robot vacuum cleaner may have a weaker motor, which means it may have difficulty handling heavier dirt particles or cleaning carpets properly.
- Suction power on hard floors and carpets
Cheaper robot vacuums often do better on hard surfaces such as wood or laminate floors. If you have very hard floors, a budget robot may be sufficient. However, if you have carpets, especially thick or pubescent, it may be good to look for a robot with higher suction power or multiple modes that adapt to different surfaces. - Emptying the dust container
Another important aspect to consider is the size of the dust container. Budget robots often have smaller dust containers than more expensive models, which means you have to empty them more often. For those of you who have a large home or a lot of dirt, this may mean having to empty the container after each cleaning session, which can be time-consuming.
Mapping and navigation
One of the main differences between budget robots and premium options is their navigation and mapping capabilities. Budget models often rely on simpler sensors to avoid obstacles, while more expensive models use advanced technology to create a detailed map of your home.
- Basic navigation
Many inexpensive robotic vacuum cleaners use “crash and go” technology, in which they encounter an obstacle and then change direction. This can lead to cleaning taking longer and not being as efficient, as the robot does not learn from its surroundings in the same way that more advanced models do. - Virtual walls and zones
More expensive robot vacuums often offer the ability to set up virtual walls or delimit areas where the robot should not walk, such as around fragile objects or particular rooms. On cheaper models, these functions may be missing or limited.
Noise level: Quiet cleaning or disturbing background noise?
A factor that is often forgotten when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner, especially in the budget class, is the noise level. Many consumers think primarily of suction power and navigation, but sound can be a crucial aspect, especially if you plan to drive the robot when you are at home.
- What you can expect sound-wise
In general, budget models are often louder than their more expensive counterparts. Technology used to attenuate the sound is usually prioritized away in favor of saving costs. The noise level is usually given in decibels (dB), and a figure between 60 and 70 dB is common for most robotic vacuum cleaners in this price range. This is comparable to the noise level of a normal conversation tone or an average TV sound. - When the noise level becomes important
If you plan to run your robot vacuum cleaner when you are not at home, the noise level may matter less. However, if you intend to use it during the evening hours or while working from home, the noise level can become a decisive factor. Some budget models offer quieter modes, but this may mean that the robot cleans more slowly or with lower suction power.
Filters and allergens: Essential for a clean and healthy home
If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, it may be worth investigating what kind of filter the robot vacuum cleaner uses. Dust, pollen and other allergens can spread into the air if the robot does not have good enough filtration.
- Different filter types
More expensive models are often equipped with HEPA filters that effectively capture small particles and allergens. Many budget models have simpler filters, which may not be as effective. If you are allergic or sensitive to dust, you should try to find a robot vacuum cleaner that has at least a basic particulate filter. However, it is rare to find high-end HEPA filters in the lower price range. - Maintenance of the filter
Regardless of the type of filter you have, it is important to maintain and replace the filter regularly to maintain efficiency. Budget robots may require you to clean the filter more often, as these filters are not always as durable as on more expensive models.
Maintenance and spare parts: What will it cost in the long run?
When buying a robot vacuum cleaner, it is easy to focus solely on the purchase price. But it is important to consider long-term costs for maintenance and spare parts. Even budget models require maintenance to continue operating efficiently over time.
- Availability of spare parts
It is important to ensure that you can get your hands on spare parts for your robot vacuum cleaner. Although the vacuum cleaner itself is inexpensive, costs for brushes, filters, and batteries can quickly add up if you can't find these parts at a reasonable price. Always check the availability of spare parts for the particular model you are considering buying. Many cheaper brands may have limited availability of spare parts, meaning you may need to replace the entire robot sooner than planned. - Cleaning and maintenance
Budget models may require more frequent maintenance than premium robots. This may mean that you have to empty the dust container more often, clean brushes and wheels, as well as change filters more regularly. If the robot is not properly maintained, performance can quickly deteriorate.
Smart features: How much technology can you get for your money?
As technology advances, smart features such as app control and integration with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa are becoming increasingly common even on robot vacuums. But how much smart technology can you really expect on a budget model?
- App control and remote controls
Although app control has become standard on many more expensive models, even cheaper robot vacuums are starting to offer basic app features. With the app, you can often schedule cleaning, check where the robot has cleaned, and sometimes set up virtual barriers or rooms. But the functionality of budget models is often limited compared to premium options. - Another smart feature that pops up on some budget models is an included remote control. This can be a good option for those who don't want to use an app or if your budget robot lacks wifi connectivity.
- Voice control and smart home integrations
More expensive robot vacuums often offer integrations with smart home systems and voice assistants. Some budget models have begun to include basic voice control, but this is still uncommon. If you are looking for a seamless integration with your smart home, it may be worth considering a slightly more expensive model, as this is rarely found in the cheapest options.
Sensors and safety: Will your robot avoid obstacles and stairs?
One of the biggest dangers of cheaper robot vacuum cleaners is that they don't always have as reliable sensors as more expensive models. This can lead to the robot running over sensitive objects or even falling down stairs if it is not equipped with adequate fall protection sensors.
- Basic sensor system
Many budget robots are equipped with infrared or pressure-sensitive sensors to avoid obstacles and stairs. These systems usually work satisfactorily, but they are not as advanced as the lidar or camera-based systems found in more expensive models. If you have stairs in your home, it is especially important to check that the robot vacuum cleaner has adequate fall protection sensors. - Shock protection and fragile items
Cheaper robot vacuums can sometimes be a bit “clumsier” when navigating around furniture and other obstacles. If you have fragile items, which can easily be overturned, it may be helpful to consider a model with better obstacle recognition. Although budget robots often have rubber bumpers, they can still cause damage to sensitive objects.
Summary and conclusion: Worth considering when choosing a budget robot vacuum cleaner
In summary, a budget-class robot vacuum cleaner can be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine, as long as you have realistic expectations and understand the limitations that these models may have. By being aware of what features you need, the type of home you have, and how much maintenance you are willing to undertake, you can make a more informed and sustainable choice.
Key factors to consider:
- Battery life and charging: Smaller batteries on budget models may require more charging cycles, and not all models resume cleaning automatically after recharging.
- Suction power and dust container: Budget models often cope with hard floors better than carpets, and smaller dust containers may need to be emptied more often.
- Mapping and navigation: Simple navigation technology can make cleaning take longer and be less accurate.
- Noise level: Budget robots can be noisy and less suitable for cleaning while you are at home.
- Smart Features: App control and voice control are possible, but limited in the budget segment.
- Maintenance and spare parts: Consider long-term maintenance costs and the availability of spare parts.
With the right expectations and an awareness of both the pros and cons, you can make a choice that suits both your wallet and your needs.
