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 you can buy, if you want a machine that does everything. For pet owners, the Roomba j7+ remains a top contender.
Comparison Chart: Top 3 Robot Vacuums
Feature | 🏆 Top Pick Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | iRobot Roomba j7+ | Eufy X8 Pro |
---|---|---|---|
Vacuuming Power | Excellent (6000Pa) | Excellent | Very Good (2x 4000Pa) |
Mopping System | Excellent (VibraRise 2.0) | ❌ No (Vac only) | Basic (Standard Mop) |
Obstacle Avoidance | Excellent (LiDAR + 3D) | Excellent (vSLAM Camera) | Very Good (Laser) |
Self-Emptying Dock | ✅ Yes (Vac & Mop) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) | ✅ Yes (Vac only) |
Best For | Hands-off cleaning | Pet owners, simplicity | Value for money |
Price | ~£1300 | ~£700 | ~£600 |
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Head-to-Head: The In-Depth Comparison
A robot vacuum isn't just about suction power anymore. It's about intelligence, automation, and how well it fits into your life. Here's how our top three contenders battle it out.
1. Raw Cleaning Performance: Vacuum & Mop
Can it actually clean your floors? This is the fundamental test.
- Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: This is a cleaning powerhouse. With a massive 6000Pa of suction and dual rubber roller brushes, it picks up everything. But its star is the VibraRise 2.0 mopping system, which sonically scrubs floors up to 3,000 times per minute and automatically lifts the mop on carpets. It's the only true 2-in-1 device in this test that excels at both tasks.
- iRobot Roomba j7+: Roomba focuses on one thing and does it exceptionally well: vacuuming. Its suction is powerful and its unique dual rubber brushes are fantastic at resisting hair tangles. It has no mopping function, but for a pure vacuuming experience on both carpet and hard floors, it's incredibly effective and reliable.
- Eufy X8 Pro: Eufy's clever trick is its dual-turbine system, with two motors generating 4,000Pa of suction each. This provides excellent pickup, especially for pet hair. Its mopping is a standard affair—it will wipe your floors, but it doesn't have the advanced scrubbing or lifting features of the Roborock.
Winner: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. It's a top-tier vacuum *and* a top-tier mop in one machine. No compromises.
2. Intelligence & Obstacle Avoidance
The "robot" part of the name. A smart vacuum is a good vacuum.
- iRobot Roomba j7+: Roomba is the genius when it comes to avoiding things it shouldn't touch. Using a front-facing vSLAM camera, its A.I. is specifically trained to identify and avoid hazards like pet waste, shoes, and cables. iRobot is so confident they offer the P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise)—if it doesn't avoid solid pet waste, they'll replace the robot for free.
- Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: It uses a combination of LiDAR for fast, accurate mapping (even in the dark) and a 3D structured light system to identify obstacles. It's extremely smart and precise, but Roomba's camera-based AI has a slight edge in identifying specific, unpredictable objects.
- Eufy X8 Pro: It uses a laser-based navigation system that is very effective for mapping and avoiding large objects like furniture, but it can be less adept at spotting smaller items like cables or socks on the floor.
Winner: iRobot Roomba j7+. For homes with pets or general clutter, its best-in-class object recognition provides unmatched peace of mind.
3. Docking Station & Automation
The ultimate goal is to think about cleaning as little as possible. The dock is key.
- Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: The "Ultra Dock" is a masterpiece of engineering. It not only self-empties the dustbin but also washes the mop pad with brushes, dries it with hot air to prevent mildew, and refills the robot's water tank. It's a true, self-sufficient cleaning system.
- iRobot Roomba j7+: Its Clean Base is simple and effective. It reliably self-empties the robot's dustbin into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days' worth of debris. It does its one job perfectly.
- Eufy X8 Pro: Similar to the Roomba, it offers a reliable self-emptying station for the dustbin. A great feature at this price point.
Winner: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. Its multi-functional dock that handles both vacuum and mop maintenance is in a league of its own.
The Final Verdict: Which Robot Vacuum Should You Buy?
Your perfect robot vacuum depends on your home, your budget, and how much you want the machine to do for you.
🏆 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. It's the future of home cleaning.
Check Price for Roborock S8🧠 Best for Pet Owners & Simplicity: iRobot Roomba j7+
If you have pets or a busy, cluttered home, the Roomba j7+'s superior object avoidance gives it a real-world advantage. It's a powerful, reliable vacuum from the most trusted brand in the business, offering a simple, set-and-forget experience.
Check Price for Roomba j7+💰 Best Value: Eufy X8 Pro
Eufy delivers premium features—like self-emptying and powerful suction—at a price that's hard to beat. It may not have the advanced mopping or AI of the others, but it offers a fantastic automated vacuuming experience that represents the best value for money.
Check Price for Eufy X8 Pro