When it comes to robot vacuums, the good news is consumers are spoiled for choice. However, they tend to have high price tags, making folks question whether they really need one or not. That said, there are a couple of models out there that don’t break the bank and yet deliver results.
From the budget category, we’ve picked out the iRobot Roomba 675 for its superb cleaning capability, the Wyze Robot Vacuum and Roborock S4 Max for their LiDAR navigation system and the Eufy RoboVac 11S for its simplicity and compactness.
Navigation
Best Cheap Robot Vacuums Comparison Chart
| Model | Image | Navigation | Highlights | Price |
| iRobot |  | Bump-and-run | Dual brushes, Dirt Detection feature | Check Price at iRobot.com |
| Wyze Robot Vacuum |  | LiDAR | Smart navigation, powerful suction | Check Price at Wyze.com |
| Roborock S4 Max |  | LiDAR | Large compartment, plenty of smart features | Check Price at Walmart.com |
| Eufy RoboVac 11S |  | Bump-and-run | Quiet, short enough to get under most furniture | Check Price at Eufy.com |
iRobot Roomba 675 — Best Bump-and-Run Robot Vacuum
The iRobot
Without a doubt, the iRobot
Like most of the company’s products, it uses a three-stage cleaning system that consists of two brushes for hard surfaces and rugs and another one for corners and edges. All in all, it’s capable of leaving floors spotless.
Despite its less-sophisticated navigation system, it does make an effort in getting to every nook and cranny, going around furniture legs and such. Moreover, it features Cliff Detection so it won’t fall down the stairs and Dirt Detection that allows it to identify dirtier areas for some extra cleaning.
While it’s now cheaper because of its age, it’s no longer available at the brand’s website. However, it’s still available from select third-party retailers. Also, it’s worth mentioning that it has a successor called the Roomba 694. It’s basically the same in terms of performance, but it omits the carrying handle of its predecessor.
Pros
- Multi-brush setup
- Dirt Detection
Cons
- May be hard to find because it’s being replaced by a newer model
Wyze Robot Vacuum — Affordable Robot Vacuum with LiDAR
The Wyze Robot Vacuum proves that LiDAR navigation doesn’t have to cost much.
In most cases, getting a robot vacuum on a budget means ending up with a bump-and-run model. However, there are a few outliers that use a LiDAR navigation system with a comparably low sticker price, and one of those is the Wyze Robot Vacuum.
Using several sensors, it can detect obstacles, walls and furniture and plan out the most efficient path to clean, meaning it doesn’t move around semi-randomly. Also, it can map out your home, allowing you to set up no-go zones or have it clean specific rooms via the Wyze app. Last but not least, it automatically returns to its charging dock after cleaning.
It does a good job at sucking up pet hair and debris of all shapes and sizes from just about any kind of surface, owing to its brushroll and sidebrush combo. What’s more, it has a HEPA filter to keep allergens from recirculating into the air.
If there’s anything to complain about it’s that its bin is small, and you’ll have to empty it regularly.
Pros
- LiDAR navigation
- Self-charging
Cons
- Small bin requires frequent emptying
Roborock S4 Max — Smartest Robot Vacuum on a Budget
The Roborock S4 Max has plenty of intelligent features that put other pricier counterparts to shame.
Another LiDAR robot vacuum that’s easy on the budget is the Roborock S4 Max. Considered as one of the smartest of its kind, it can memorize the layout of your home in only one go. Needless to say, it uses an app where you can program schedules and no-go zones. Also, it can be directed to clean a particular room.
What distinguishes it is its efficiency, capable of moving around furniture and other obstacles with little or no delay. Put simply, it’s less likely to bump into walls and the like, thanks to its numerous sensors.
In addition, it has a strong suction power to leave bare floors dust-free, and it automatically cranks it up to the max when it detects carpets. Also, it has a sizable bin and a long-lasting battery that’s good for up to 180 minutes on a single charge. That means you can pretty much set it and forget it for the greater part of the day.
Compared to the Wyze Robot Vacuum, which is the other model with LiDAR navigation on this list, it has a longer runtime and a larger compartment. However, it lags behind in cleaning performance.
Pros
- LiDAR navigation
- Large bin
- Efficient
Cons
- Discontinued but still available at third-party retailers
Eufy RoboVac 11S — Quietest and Most Compact Robot Vacuum
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is so silent it’s barely noticeable.
It’s not often that a bump-and-run robot vacuum stands out. That honor is usually reserved for Roombas, but at times, a competitor comes along to steal some of the spotlight. In this case, it’s the Eufy RoboVac 11S.
While it’s basic by most standards, it does have a notable advantage over its ilk: it’s shorter, clocking in at 2.85 inches in height. Thanks to that, it can go under almost any furniture, including most low sofas. That way, it can pick up dirt and debris that tend to be hard to reach and out of sight for a more thorough cleaning. Also, it runs quietly, making it perfect for those who find the constant whir of a vacuum to be a distraction or annoyance. On top of that, it can even go back to its charging station and adjust suction power all on its own.
It goes without saying that it’s not the most efficient in navigation since it relies on bumping into things to make its way around your home, but that’s to be expected. Instead, a more probable deal breaker is it’s not effective for carpets. There’s a MAX variant that increases suction power from 1,300 to 2,000 Pa, but their single brush still proves to be the culprit for its less-than-stellar cleaning prowess.
Pros
- Silent operation
- Short enough to get under most furniture
Cons
- Can’t clean carpets thoroughly
Verdict
Overall, the iRobot
In summary, these robot vacuums are living proof that getting one for your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. After all, they can get the job done despite their relatively lower price tags. For instance, the iRobot Roomba 675 sets itself apart with its thorough cleaning and dual-brush system, whereas the Wyze Robot Vacuum and Roborock S4 Max offer a lot of value for their LiDAR navigation. Lastly, the Eufy RoboVac 11S features quiet and straightforward operation, and its height allows it to get to hidden debris even under low furniture.
FAQs
It depends on what features you’re looking for, but in general, it’s hard to go wrong with the bump-and-run iRobot
Arguably, the best budget model is the iRobot Roomba 675. While it may be bare-bones compared to the company’s pricier models, it features dual brushes and Dirt Detection to thoroughly clean hard floors and carpets.
While the market may be saturated with cheap knockoffs, there are affordable robot vacuums that can clean about as well as more expensive variants. For example, the iRobot
First of all, it’s important to determine whether the robot vacuum can clean floors well or not. After that, consider your budget and the features you’d like to have.