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The 6 Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners To Buy In Australia For 2024
— Updated on 28 December 2023

The 6 Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners To Buy In Australia For 2024

— Updated on 28 December 2023
Chris Singh
WORDS BY
Chris Singh

No one likes pushing around a vacuum cleaner. No one. Not even the people who make them. Cleaning the house takes up precious time so it’s no surprise the market for a good robot vacuum has exploded in recent years.

I won’t lie. I wasn’t sold on the idea of robot vacuums up until a few years ago and would have preferred a traditional vacuum cleaner. Nowadays, I’m obsessed with these hands-free suckers. And I’ve used my experience playing with various different robot vacuums to put together this list of my favourites so far.

Ecovacs, Roborock, Eufy, and other brands have been fighting hard to put forward the best robot vacuum cleaner available in Australia so it’s about time you had a buyer’s guide to help you pick the best models.

You don’t have time to stand around and test robot vacuums all day though so here’s our quick guide to the very best I’ve come across over the past few years. From the affordable robot vacuum and the basic robot vacuum to premium robot vacuums packed with features.


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best robot vacuum cleaner


The 6 Best Robotic Vacuum Cleaners In Australia In 2024

1. Ecovacs DEEBOT N8 Pro – Best Overall

The Deebot N8 Pro is one of the best robot vacuum cleaners you can buy right now

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: 2,600Pa
Navigation Technology: TrueDetect 3D
Battery Life: 110 minutes
Mopping: Yes
 

The Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro is one of the more valuable options when it comes to the best robot vacuum cleaners. If you can do without the convenience of the auto-empty station then you’re knocking $400 off the total price and only forking out $700-$800 – a relative steal considering how efficient and feature-rich this powerful robot vacuum is.

This is the robot vacuum I have used the most since it was released in April 2021, primarily because it’s super strong 2,600Pa maximum suction power is more than enough to leave my house gorgeously clean by the time I get home from work every night.

The premium robot vacuum also offers better efficiency with newly calibrated, laser-based TrueDetect 3D technology, boosting the vacuum’s ability to map the home with 2x more coverage than the previous model.

A major boost in suction power also means the Deebot N8 Pro is quite nifty at cleaning up pet hair so any dog or cat owners dealing with a constant spread of fine pet hair on hard floors should be very satisfied with this one.

Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro Online Reviews

At the time of publishing this article, I can see that the Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro has an average score of 4.5 out of 5 on Google. That indicates a lot of satisfied customers, with several pointing to the massive suction power and its ability to deal with pet hair as the main reason for purchase. This combined with my own experience makes me confident enough to state that this is simply one of the best robot vacuum cleaners you can buy for under $1,000.

  • Great laser-based navigation
  • Suction power makes quick work of pet hairs
  • Reasonably priced

  • Need to pay extra for auto empty station

2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid – Best For Dust

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: 2,000Pa
Navigation Technology: iPath Laser
Battery Life: 3 hours
Mopping: Yes

One of Eufy’s pricier options is the RoboVac X8 Hybrid, the brand’s most premium offering and an easy pick if you’re looking for a robot vacuum with superior suction power to handle a great variety of surfaces.

Eufy uses two turbines in the X8 Hybrid, each separately generating up to 2,000Pa to double up on suction power with an 80% increase in airflow. This not only obliterates pet hair, but it makes sure there are fewer issues with entanglement on the roller brush.

I’ve found this robot vacuum to be the best when it comes to dust. Eufy’s UltraPack Dust-Compression Technology ups the dust box volume by 127% so there’s less dust escaping back into the air when I go to empty the device.

Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid Online Reviews

At the time of publishing this article, Google’s User Reviews have the Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid sitting at a respectable average of 4.0 out of 5. This indicates plenty of customer satisfaction, with some users pointing towards the navigation and large dust bin as pros. Although just as many customers seem to be disappointed with the robot vacuum’s mopping performance. I’ve also found it to be quite poor at cleaning up spills completely before moving on to other areas of the house.

  • Strong suction power
  • Very large dust box

  • No auto empty station
  • Not as good at navigating as some competitors

3. Ecovacs DEEBOT X1 Plus – Best Premium Option

A room with a wooden floor

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: 5,000Pa
Navigation Technology: TrueMapping 2.0 Path Planning
Battery Life: 3 hours
Mopping: Yes

The DEEBOT X1 Plus is not the most expensive robot vacuum offered by Ecovacs, but it’s certainly one of the most premium. Designed in partnership with Jacob Jensen, it’s one of the more aesthetically pleasing devices in this category, complemented with a lot of high-end features like voice assistant support (both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant), an auto-empty station and an interchangeable air freshener capsule.

With up to 5,000Pa suction power is more than double what you’d get with some of the more affordable models, making this one of the most powerful robot vacuums out there. The true test of good robot vacuums is how well they can handle those finer bits of debris like pet hair and dust, and the X1 Plus is absolutely up to the task.

TrueMapping 2.0 Path Planning technology has been used to easily navigate around full-size homes, yet this still doesn’t do so well when it comes to stairs as per many online reviews.

Ecovacs Deebot X1 Plus Online Reviews

This is one of the best-reviewed robot vacuums online right now. At the time of publishing, the X1 Plus sits at 4.6 out of 5 on Google’s User Reviews. Many users write that the X1 Plus is an all-rounder with an excellent battery life of 180 minutes, a very efficient mopping function and effective navigation.

  • Accurate navigation with TrueMapping 2.0 Path Planning
  • Solid 5,000Pa suction power
  • Includes an auto empty station
  • Theee hour battery life

  • YIKO AI voice assistant feels like a waste
  • Expensive

4. Roborock S5 Max – Best At Navigation

roborock s5 max pic

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: 2,000Pa
Navigation Technology: LiDAR Laser
Battery Life: 3 hours
Mopping: Yes

Pet hair has become somewhat of a litmus test for robot vacuums, and by all indications, the Roborock S5 Max dominates the competition when it comes to those finer stray bits of hair. It is also very good at navigating carpets where the fabrics and typically tallet and loose, which is the primary advantage of choosing the Max variant over the standard Roborock S5, despite it having an average suction power of 2,000Pa across Quiet, Balanced, Turbo, and Max modes.

The quad-core 32-bit processor inside handles the LiDAR with a laser that spins at 300RPM, making it very efficient at storing and recalling detailed maps, enhanced by an Adaptive Route Algorithm that calculates the most efficient cleaning route based on a room’s shape and obstacles. This is enough to give the Roborock S5 Max efficient laser navigation and floor mapping, as well as the ability to both vacuum and mop equally well – it’s one of the best hybrid devices out there right now.

One of the best things about the Roborock S5 Max is its unlimited range, although it can’t go up or down stairs. This chips away at the value quite a bit, since there are a few other options on this list that are at least a bit better at detecting, navigating, and dealing with stairs (of a certain height).

While there are newer models from Roborock, the S5 Max represents the best balance of price and performance.

Roborock S5 Max Online Reviews

Many online reviews claim the Roborock S5 Max as the single best robot vacuum cleaner out there. At the time of publishing, the robot vacuum has a 4.8 out of 5 average score. Given Roborock’s reputation in the robotics industry, that’s not really much of a surprise. Many reviewers seem to like how the device excels at just about every facet of vacuuming, from suction and mopping to navigation and battery life.

  • 2,000 Pa suction power is decent for the price
  • Excellent nagivation
  • Mops as well as it sucks
  • Unlimited range

  • Not widely available

5. iRobot Roomba i3+ – Best For Mopping

best robot vacuum cleaner

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: Not specified
Navigation Technology: Reactive sensor
Battery Life: 60 minutes
Mopping: Yes

iRobot has been around since 2002, giving it plenty of reach on the market. This is extra beneficial for the company’s collection of robot vacuums because it’s easier (and cheaper) to source replacement parts that have been built specifically for the brand.

The iRobot Roomba i3+ is perhaps the best example of the company’s know-how, given it’s known for having the most consistent self-emptying bin in the game. Y

You’ll have to do without the ability to set virtual boundaries via an app, which means fewer navigational features than something like the Deebot N8 Pro, but you’ll get the most reliable self-regulating vacuum on the market. I’d say that’s a fair compromise; you won’t ever come home to a job unfinished.

iRobot Roomba i3+ Online Reviews

At the time of publishing, the iRobot Roomba i3+ sits at 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google’s User Reviews panel. This implies great customer satisfaction, with most reviews pointing out the jet mop as the single best feature of this particular model.

  • Strong suction (although unspecified)
  • Comes with a self-emptying dustbin

  • Poor battery life
  • Can be loud

6. Eufy RoboVac G30 Verge – Best Budget Model

Specifications

Maximum Suction Power: 2,000Pa
Navigation Technology: Dynamic navigation 2.0
Battery Life: 88 minutes
Mopping: Yes

The biggest benefit of the Eufy Robovac G30 Verge is its relatively lower profile, designed to be smaller than most other robot vacuum cleaners to better fit under furniture. It’s also quieter than the average robot vacuum, which is always a bonus if you’ve got pets in the house who may get a bit freaked at the buzzing freak zipping around the house while you’re lazing around.

While you’ll want to go for a higher-end robot vacuum with some actual smarts, this budget option is about the best you’d find if you don’t want to spend any more than $500. You are, however, accepting a bit of a sacrifice. There are no smarts to speak of, so even though this robot vacuum is fairly efficient at picking up debris of all kinds, you can’t really set and forget like you would the other models on this list.

You won’t get an app, but you will get a remote control. It works well enough, but that means you’ll have to be at home to guide this cleaner across your various surfaces.

Eufy RoboVac G30 Verge Online Reviews

At the time of publishing, the Eufy RoboVax G30 has an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google’s User Reviews panel. This indicates great customer satisfaction with many pointing out how affordable it is compared to other robot vacuums on the market while still putting up a great performance, especially for hardwood floors.

  • 2,000Pa suction power is good for a budget model
  • Can keep a low profile thanks to design

  • Remote control can be inconsistent
  • Can be loud

Note that all of these products have been hand-picked by the Boss Hunting team based on our own experience as well as online reviews and brand reputation.

How Boss Hunting Chose The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners

best robot vacuum cleaner

The Boss Hunting office is lucky enough to have access to many different devices, including robot vacuums from brands like Eufy, Ecovacs and Robot Rock. We have played around with many of these robot vacuums and researched user reviews in order to get a good overall idea of what kind of value each of these devices provides.

The type of robot vacuum you need will differ depending on your lifestyle, and other factors such as the size of the space and also whether or not you have any pets to clean up after. Pet hair can be notoriously hard to clean, so we’ve given extra points to suction power (measured in Pa) as well as other factors such as navigation and battery life. We also prefer robot vacuums with a self-emptying function so you can set and forget. Noise is another big consideration, as some of the more affordable robot vacuums offset your savings with a lot of noise.

We also prefer robot vacuums that come with a mopping pad function. You want a comprehensive cleaner, after all, so the best robot vacuum Australia has to offer should have a strong mopping feature as well.

For more on Boss Hunting’s editorial policy please click here.


How To Shop For Robot Vacuum Cleaners

robot vacuum cleaner pic

A robot vacuum can be a hefty investment for some. In addition to the initial outlay, you’ve typically got ongoing costs with the majority of robot vacuums requiring various replacements every so often – brushroll, side brush, roller brush, dust bin and HEPA filter. You’ll first need to decide how much you’re willing to spend, and if the convenience is worth it for you.

If you’ve made the right choice, you’re looking at a huge uptick in convenience, so most would agree that the price is worth it. Some even have laser camera accessories to make your robot vac even more efficient at navigating tight spaces.

You’ll also need to consider the size of the space you want to clean, and how much you need to clean. If you’ve got pets, those annoying strands of pet hair would probably require a robot vacuum with as much suction power as possible so it doesn’t miss those finer threads. As such, you’ll want something that’s closer to 2,500Pa in suction strength if you want to find the best robot vacuum for pet hair. Luckily, most robot vacuums aspire to include such strong suction power – none of them would be worth a damn otherwise.

You also want one that will easily navigate various surfaces like hard flooring and carpet. Some are better than others when it comes to cleaning stairs as well, but invariably all robot vacuums to date have been notoriously bad when it comes to this.

Don’t bother with budget models if you have more than just a carpetless studio apartment. They don’t have the smarts necessary to make the outlay worth it and won’t compare to handheld vacuum cleaners. They’ll also regularly bump into walls trying to find their way around, given they haven’t been specifically calibrated for object detection and avoidance, meaning they take significantly longer to do the job. Plus, medium pile carpets would be a challenge for the little guy.

You’ll want to invest in the high-end models. They come with sensors that can not only map out a room before cleaning but store the schematic models so they can work to any regular schedule you choose. As such, you want a robotic vacuum that works seamlessly with a companion app, so make sure it has Wi-Fi connectivity, Alexa, and Google Assistant.


What Features You Want From A Robot Vacuum Cleaner

best robot vacuum cleaner

There are various features you’re going to want to look out for with a robot vacuum to make sure you’re getting to smoothest experience possible.

Self-emptying is a big one, with the more expensive models being able to schedule their own automatic dirt disposal when their dustbin fills up. They’ll just return to their charging dock to self-empty, offloading into their base which will take longer to fill up (obviously you’ll need to change it manually).

Ideally, you want a robot vacuum that can both vacuum and mop, sometimes simultaneously. This is what’s known as a hybrid model, although this can mean they aren’t specialised in either task.

Wi-Fi connectivity is a must. You want a robot vacuum that can work well with a smartphone app so you can control your new best mate remotely and set up custom routes for him to follow. This works well with robot vacuums that have well-calibrated sensors, which help them remember the position of certain walls, stairs, and obstacles so they can easily avoid them. With some models, you can also use an app to set up various no-go zones in case you don’t want your little buddy sneaking down to the cellar or throwing dust all over your pet’s food.

One of the most important things to look for is dust capacity. You obviously want a robot vacuum with as large a dustbin as possible. The average is around 400 ml, which is enough to clear a room and then some. Of course, if you’ve got a model that has an auto-empty station, this is less of an issue. You’ll just need to wait a long time as your buddy darts back and forth between their base.

The last thing to consider is, of course, battery life. High-end robotic vacuums come with a self-charging base, but like above, you’ll need to factor in the time spent running between cleaning and charging. These types of models are ideal if you want to come home to a job done well because if you’ve got one that needs to be manually plugged in you’ll need to constantly monitor it.

Robot vacuums worth your money would have all the above features and then some. Here are our picks of those.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best robot vacuum cleaner to buy in 2023?

The best robot vacuum cleaner you can buy in 2023 would either be the Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro or the iRobot Roomba i3+. Both are going to give you the features of high-end models at a relatively affordable price point.

What is LiDAR in a Robot Vacuum?

LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and gives the robot vacuum the ability to accurately map a room and use lasers to detect and avoid objects.

What is the best robot vacuum for pet owners?

Pet hair is notoriously hard to clean up even for traditional vacuum cleaners, so you’ll want a robot vacuum which as much suction power as possible. The Deebot N8 Pro should be your pick, but also good for pet owners is the Wyze Robot Vacuum.

How well do robot vacuum cleaners work?

While robot vacuum cleaners had plenty of issues as recently as 2020, there are many on the market now which do an excellent job at sucking up fine particles on various surfaces throughout your house. The main issue is typically how well your robot vacuum can avoid objects, and while no robot vacuum is perfect (yet) when it comes to this, there are currently many out there that use advanced object detection technology so your robot vacuums won’t get stuck on objects such as chair legs.

How do robot vacuums work?

Generally speaking, robot vacuums use one or two spinning brushes and typically a rolling brush to collect dust and sweep it towards the centre of the room, after which an electric motor creates suction to pick up dirt, hair and other debris and store it in a removable dust container. Most now use various obstacle and cliff sensors to navigate a space without getting caught on anything, each of which uses infrared signals that help the robot measure the surfaces and map them out to make subsequent cleans more efficient.

How much does a robot vacuum cost?

Robot vacuums are priced fairly high for those who want a good, reliable device that will clean a space efficiently and require little intervention. Expect to pay upwards of $700 for a good robot vacuum cleaner for the office or the home.

Do robot vacuums clean corners?

Yes, a good robot vacuum will use special edges and nozzles to reach corners easily so even if the body looks like it can’t reach corners, there will be a way for your robot vacuum to clean corners.

Are robot vacuum cleaners worth buying?

Yes, a robot vacuum cleaner is worth buying so you can automate this very common everyday task.

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Chris Singh
WORDS by
Chris is a freelance Travel, Food, and Technology writer. He has had work published by The AU Review, Junkee Media and Australian Traveller Media and holds tertiary qualifications in Psychology and Sociology.

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