The Best Robot Vacuums of 2025
After 120+ hours of testing on hardwood, carpet, and tile—navigating pet hair, spilled cereal, and coffee grounds—we've determined the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the best robot vacuum for those who want a machine that truly does everything. For homes with pets and long hair, the Shark AI Ultra's anti-hair-wrap technology is a game-changer, while the iRobot Roomba j7+ remains the smartest at avoiding obstacles.
Comparison Chart: Top 5 Robot Vacuums
Feature | 🏆 Best Overall Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | 🧠 Smartest Navigation iRobot Roomba j7+ | 💪 Best for Hair Shark AI Ultra | Dreame L10s Pro | Eufy X8 Pro |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suction Power | Excellent (6000Pa) | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good (5300Pa) | Very Good (2x 4000Pa) |
Mopping System | Sonic Scrubbing | ❌ No (Vac only) | ❌ No (Vac only) | Dual Rotating Mops | Basic |
Obstacle Avoidance | Excellent (LiDAR + 3D) | Excellent (AI Camera) | Very Good (Laser) | Excellent (LiDAR + 3D) | Good (Laser) |
Self-Empty Dock | ✅ Yes (Vac & Mop) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) |
Best For | Hands-off cleaning | Pet owners, clutter | Carpets & long hair | Mopping performance | Value for money |
Price | ~£1300 | ~£700 | ~£450 | ~£650 | ~£600 |
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Feature-by-Feature: A Head-to-Head Comparison
A robot vacuum isn't just about suction anymore. It's about intelligence, mopping prowess, and how little you have to interact with it. Here’s how our top five contenders battle it out on the features that matter.
Vacuuming Performance
For raw cleaning power, the competition is fierce. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra leads the pack on paper with 6000Pa of suction, but the real-world performance of all these machines is excellent. The Shark AI Ultra stands out with its PowerFins HairPro brushroll, which is ingeniously designed to resist hair wrap—a massive advantage for homes with pets or long-haired residents. The iRobot Roomba j7+ and Roborock both use dual rubber brush designs that are also highly effective against tangles. The Eufy X8 Pro uses a unique dual-turbine system (2x 4000Pa) that provides powerful, widespread suction. The Dreame L10s Pro is also a very strong performer, easily handling dust and debris on all surfaces.
Verdict on Vacuuming: For homes with long hair, the Shark AI Ultra's anti-tangle brushroll is a game-changing feature. For overall power, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra has a slight edge.
Mopping Performance
This is where the contenders separate into distinct tiers. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is in a league of its own, with a "VibraRise 2.0" system that sonically scrubs the floor and automatically lifts the mop pad high off the ground when it detects carpet. The Dreame L10s Pro is a very strong competitor, using a different method of dual rotating mop pads that also scrub effectively and lift on carpets. The Eufy X8 Pro has a basic mopping function that will perform a light wipe but doesn't scrub or lift. The Roomba j7+ and our chosen Shark AI Ultra model are vacuum-only specialists and have no mopping capabilities.
Verdict on Mopping: The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the undisputed champion, offering the most advanced and effective mopping system that seamlessly integrates with vacuuming.
Intelligence & Obstacle Avoidance
A robot is only as good as its brain. The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the smartest navigator in cluttered environments. Its front-facing AI-powered camera is specifically trained to identify and avoid hazards like pet waste, shoes, and cables, giving it unmatched reliability in busy homes. The Roborock and Dreame use a combination of LiDAR for fast, accurate mapping (even in the dark) and 3D light scanners to avoid objects; they are extremely precise but Roomba's AI has a slight edge in identifying specific, unpredictable hazards. The Shark uses laser navigation to build a map and methodically clean, while the Eufy uses a similar but slightly less advanced laser system.
Verdict on Intelligence: The iRobot Roomba j7+ is the winner, providing the most peace of mind for pet owners or anyone with a less-than-tidy floor.
Docking Station & Automation
The ultimate goal is hands-off cleaning, and the dock is the key. Again, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra's "Ultra Dock" is the clear leader. It not only self-empties the dustbin but also washes the mop pad, dries it with hot air, and refills the robot's water tank. It’s a complete, self-sufficient system. The other four models—Roomba, Shark, Dreame, and Eufy—all feature excellent and reliable self-emptying docks for the dustbin, holding weeks' worth of debris. However, they do not offer any mop maintenance.
Verdict on Automation: The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is in a class of its own, offering a level of automation the others can't match.
In-Depth Reviews: A Closer Look at Each Device
You've seen how they compare, now let's dive into the specifics of each model. Here are our detailed findings on what makes each device unique.
🏆 Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
The S8 Pro Ultra is the "everything" machine. It offers top-tier performance in vacuuming, mopping, and navigation, all supported by a docking station that automates almost every part of the cleaning process. It's the ultimate choice for those who want the best technology and are willing to pay for it.
What We Love
Incredible all-in-one dock (self-washes, dries, empties, refills); powerful sonic mopping that lifts on carpets; excellent suction and navigation.
What to Consider
It's the most expensive option by a significant margin and the large dock requires dedicated space.
Check Price for Roborock S8🧠 iRobot Roomba j7+
The Roomba j7+ is the smartest and most careful robot on the market. Its AI-driven obstacle avoidance is best-in-class, making it the perfect choice for busy, unpredictable homes, especially those with pets.
What We Love
Unmatched ability to identify and avoid obstacles like pet waste and cables; powerful vacuuming performance; reliable self-empty dock; very user-friendly app.
What to Consider
It has no mopping function, and its navigation can be slower than LiDAR-based competitors.
Check Price for Roomba j7+💪 Shark AI Ultra Self-Empty
The Shark AI Ultra is a deep-cleaning specialist, particularly for carpets and homes with hair. Its standout feature is the self-cleaning brushroll that actively removes and prevents hair wrap, solving a major headache for pet owners.
What We Love
The PowerFins HairPro brushroll is incredibly effective against hair tangles; powerful suction provides a deep clean on carpets; reliable self-empty dock.
What to Consider
This model is vacuum-only. Its laser navigation is good but less advanced than the AI camera or LiDAR systems.
Check Price for Shark AI Ultra✨ Dreame L10s Pro
The Dreame L10s Pro is a powerful challenger to the premium brands, offering high-end mopping and navigation features at a more competitive price point. It's a fantastic all-rounder for those with mostly hard floors.
What We Love
Dual rotating mop pads provide excellent scrubbing action; smart LiDAR navigation is fast and accurate; strong suction and a self-emptying dock complete the package.
What to Consider
The dock only empties dust, it does not wash or dry the mop pads like the Roborock S8's dock.
Check Price for Dreame L10s Pro💰 Eufy X8 Pro
The Eufy X8 Pro continues the brand's tradition of offering premium features at a fantastic price. Its unique dual-turbine suction and self-emptying dock make it a powerful vacuuming solution that represents the best value in our test.
What We Love
Dual-turbine suction is very effective for deep cleaning; reliable self-emptying dock; excellent value for money.
What to Consider
The mopping system is very basic (a simple wiping pad), and its obstacle avoidance is less sophisticated than the top-tier models.
Check Price for Eufy X8 ProThe Final Verdict: Which Robot Vacuum Should You Buy?
Your perfect robot vacuum depends on your home, your floor types, and your budget.
🏆 Best Overall: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
If you want the absolute best of the best and a truly automated cleaning experience for both vacuuming and mopping, this is it. The advanced technology, powerful performance, and incredible self-maintaining dock justify its premium price.
Check Price for Roborock S8🧠 Best for Pet Owners & Clutter: iRobot Roomba j7+
If you have pets or a busy home where socks and cables might be on the floor, the Roomba j7+'s superior object avoidance gives it an unmatched real-world advantage. It's a powerful and reliable vacuum you can trust to navigate without causing trouble.
Check Price for Roomba j7+💪 Best for Carpets & Hair: Shark AI Ultra
If your primary challenge is pet hair or long hair that tangles in traditional vacuums, the Shark is your answer. Its self-cleaning brushroll is a game-changing feature that, combined with powerful suction, makes it the king of carpet cleaning.
Check Price for Shark AI Ultra✨ Best Mid-Range All-Rounder: Dreame L10s Pro
If you want high-end mopping performance without the ultimate price tag of the Roborock, the Dreame L10s Pro is the perfect choice. Its dual rotating mops are fantastic on hard floors, making it a powerful and intelligent all-in-one cleaner.
Check Price for Dreame L10s Pro