Best robot vacuum cleaners for 2026: expert picks for every budget
From premium models that mop and empty themselves to brilliant budget buys under £200, these are the robot vacuum cleaners our expert recommends.
From premium models that mop and empty themselves to brilliant budget buys under £200, these are the robot vacuum cleaners our expert recommends.
If I had said 30 years ago that by 2026, highly sophisticated and often extraordinarily cheap domestic robots would be pouring out of China, the idea would have seemed laughable.
Now, of course, they are leading the charge in electric cars and much else. China has particularly cleaned up in the market for robot vacuum cleaners, which they totally dominate. Pioneer brands like iRobot in the US and Dyson in Britain are now rather secondary.
The sheer number of Chinese manufacturers and the innovative touches they add is both impressive and confusing to buyers.
Roborock, one of the fastest-growing brands at the premium end of the market, even has a stair-climbing robot vacuum coming out later this year. There’s also a vigorous price war going on.
The more refined models are being cut from well over £1,000 to well under, and there’s a whole clutch of very good products at less than £200.
As ever, I do recommend buying from a vendor offering easy no-questions returns, such as Amazon.
Jonathan Margolis is a London and New York-based technology journalist. He has a global following for his column Landing Gear in the online publication Air Mail, appears regularly on the BBC and other networks and has won several journalism awards.
View author page
Whether you're looking for straightforward insurance or cover that's packed with extras, our home insurance has plenty of options for people over 50.
This year, Saga is celebrating an incredible 75 years – and we’d love you to be part of the celebrations. For a limited time only, you can subscribe to Saga Magazine for just 75p an issue.
Receive the next 6 print editions delivered direct to your door, plus 6 months’ unlimited access to the Saga Magazine app – perfect for reading on the go.
Want to get the best results from your air fryer? Learn how with our expert tips for cooking, cleaning and day-to-day care.
Taking on easy DIY projects is a great way to pass a weekend.
We’ve got 7 chemical-free tips from an expert to keep flies and other insects out of your home.