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The best robot vacuum deals as of Dec. 29: Many Black Friday prices are *still* live

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UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2021, 1:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect current prices and availability.

We've compiled the best deals on robot vacuums from brands like iRobot, Shark, and Ecovacs. Here are the ones to grab as of Dec. 29:

  • BUDGET PICK: The iRobot Roomba 692 offers a standard, reliable cleaning for under $180 — $177 $299.99 (save $122.99)

  • SELF-EMPTYING PICK: The self-emptying Shark AI is reliable with a compact HEPA base — $499.99 $649.99 (save $150)

  • BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ uses LiDAR to vacuum and mop, then empties the mess on its own — $489.99 $799.99 (save $310)

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or get a little bummed when you can't have that satisfying dance with your Dyson, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.

Robot vacuums under $200:

Black robot vacuum and phone on iRobot screen on white background
Credit: iRobot
Our pick: iRobot Roomba 692
$177 at Amazon (save $122.99)

Why we like it

We're pumped to welcome back the cheapest Roomba we've seen this season. The 694 is part of iRobot's entry-level series, offering a standard clean to keep floors tidy on a daily basis. Cleanings can be scheduled in the app based on your needs. The only difference between the 694 ($179.99) and the 692 is that the latter doesn't include an extra filter.

More robot vacuums under $200

Robot vacuums under $500

Shark robot vacuum with self-empty base
Credit: Shark
Our pick: Shark AI Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base
$499.99 at Best Buy (save $150)

Why we like it

One of Shark's snazzier self emptiers, this AI model cleans efficiently and drops its dust collection of at its dock. The self-empty base features a HEPA filter (great for people with indoor allergies) and is much less of an eyesore than Shark's previous XL dock.

More robot vacuums under $500

Robot vacuums under $800

New Roomba with compact auto-empty dock
Credit: iRobot
Our pick: iRobot Roomba j7+
$649 at Amazon (save $200.99)

Why we like it

The new face in town is the Roomba j7+. Just released in Sept. 2021, the j7+ is now seeing its second big discount (24% off versus the 18% off we saw in early November). The glow-up consists of Genius Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation to avoid obstacles that were previously problem-causers, like pet waste and cords. The j7+ also self-empties.

More robot vacuums under $800:

Robot vacuums under $1,000

Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops

Ecovacs N8 Pro+ vacuum
Credit: Ecovacs
Our pick: Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+
$489.99 at Amazon (save $310)

Why we like it:

The Deebot N8 Pro+ includes fundamental smart upgrades like LiDAR mapping and virtual boundaries for customizing its cleaning path down to specific rooms or areas. It also has sensors that avoid carpets while mopping and uses 3D obstacle detection to avoid small objects that cheaper vacs usually trip over.

More hybrids and robot mops on sale

Are robot vacuums worth it?

The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from of your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having "first day clean" floors all the time?)

But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can't be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that doesn't do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.

What to consider when buying a robot vacuum

  • Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), ranging between 600 Pa to 2,500 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set up a barrier around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.

  • Floor type: Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.

  • Home layout: Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you'll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.

  • Low-profile furniture: No one should have to be scared about what's accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.

  • Battery life and square footage: One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you'll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 150 minutes, which translate to about 500 and 2,600 square feet covered on one charge.

  • App control: WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you're not home. Low-end models that don't connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you're used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.

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