Gadgets & Reviews

I’ve Tested Hundreds of Robot Vacuums, I Recommend These 3 for Prime Day

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If you’ve been on the fence about buying a robot vacuum because of the high price tag, Amazon’s October Prime Days are offering some of the biggest price cuts I’ve seen on both entry-level and top-tier flagship models. As CNET’s robot vacuum expert, I’ve been using robot vacuums since 2015, though not always with great success. The best and newest robot vacuums include advanced lidar navigation, AI-enhanced object recognition, the ability to cross thresholds, hot-water mopping, and even self-emptying and self-cleaning, making them nearly hands-free.

However, not all of the best robot vacuums we like are going on sale during Prime Day, so I’ve done the painstaking research to find you the ones that are getting the steepest price cuts while still keeping the features you need. All three robot vacuums I recommend below have been tested at CNET’s Louisville lab, earning scores high enough to warrant a spot on our top 10 or an honorable mention.

Here’s what you should keep an eye out for this Prime Day.

What if I want something even cheaper for under $300?

A black robot vacuum against a green/purple gradient CNET background.iRobot/CNET

You’re in luck, there are two models even more affordable than the three I mentioned above. The one thing to note is that we didn’t necessarily test these models, but we have experience with a similar unit. For instance, we tested and liked the iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo but we haven’t tested the entry-level iRobot Roomba 105 Combo. We expect the performance to be similar and feel comfortable recommending them based on their brand reputation.

Roborock Q10 S5 Plus: Just $250 on Amazon, down from $550, the 55% price cut makes it one of the most affordable entry-level robot vacuums you can get. You still get a docking station with a 2.7-liter self-emptying dust bag for around 70 days of use, 10,000-pascal suction, lidar navigation, and even a vibrating mopping pad. These are all rare features for a robot vacuum this affordable.

iRobot Roomba 105X Combo: At 57% off, the Roomba 105X Combo is just $200, down from its usual $470. For the price, you once again get a lot of features that are more common on higher-end models. It comes with lidar mapping, automatic rug detection while using its mopping pad so it doesn’t wet carpet, strong suction, and an auto-emptying dock with a dust bag that should last up to 75 days.

Do I need to worry about the FCC robot vacuum ban?

A black robot vacuum against a red gradient CNET background.Roborock/CNET

No, you don’t. No currently sold robot vacuum is impacted by the FCC ban. If you’re not familiar with what’s going on, the FCC issued an update back on July 30 regarding its national security restrictions. If the model you’re interested in is already on the market, it won’t be affected by any FCC ban or regulation. The update applies to future robot vacuums (and other robot products, including pool cleaners, mowers, and even humanoids). Every manufacturer I spoke with about this is adopting a wait-and-see approach for future models, expecting the FCC to issue waivers, as it did with the infamous Wi-Fi router ban.

Is Prime Day the best time to buy or should I wait till Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Personally, I wouldn’t wait; if you see a model you’re interested in that fits most of your needs at a price you like, buy it. With the uncertainty injected into the market by the FCC regulation, you can’t rely on the fact that companies will discount their older robot vacuum models during the holiday shopping season to clear out old stock. And don’t forget, with high diesel prices, tariff uncertainty, and major global shipping lanes disrupted due to war, anything that has high manufacturing cost and uses chips and memory is going to be heavily impacted by price increases.

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