Best budget robot vacuum cleaners under £200: our top bargain buys
Buying budget tech can be a bit of a minefield, so we've done the legwork for you - these are the best robot vacuum cleaners under £200, tried and tested by Mumsnet users.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Apr 2, 2024
Keeping our homes clean and dust-free can be a never-ending task, especially when life gets busy. Even with the best vacuum cleaner, and great steam cleaner and carpet cleaner at our disposal, it can be a challenge to find the time, energy and inclination for never-ending hoovering. Lots of time-strapped Mumsnetters swear by a robot vacuum cleaner to save time around the house, thanks to their simplicity, effectiveness and low-maintenance nature. While it's possible to spend £1,000+ on the very best robot vacuum cleaners, there are plenty of budget vacuum cleaners out there for less than £200 - both good and bad. Never ones to shy away from a challenge, we've set to work sourcing authentic reviews from both experts and Mumsnet users to uncover the best budget robot vacuum cleaners under £200 to buy right now.
How we chose our recommendations
When compiling our selection of the best budget robot vacuum cleaners, we took a number of factors into account:
Suction Power: A good robot vacuum cleaner should have powerful suction to keep both hard floors and carpets clean
Battery Life: A robot vacuum needs a decent battery life, ensuring it can clean your home without constantly needing to be recharged
Smart Home Integration: If you have smart home devices, it makes sense to choose a robot vacuum that can be connected to your smart home devices, such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa
Companion App: A companion app makes your robot vacuum even more straightforward to use, setting it to work from the comfort of your sofa, or even remotely
Budget: We set a maximum price of £200 at the time of writing, focusing our attention on only the most affordable robot vacuum cleaners
Additionally, it's essential to consider your specific cleaning needs, such as pet hair removal, cleaning hard floors, or mopping capabilities. With these criteria in mind, we narrowed down our choices to find the best robot vacuum cleaner for a number of situations and requirements
With so many options available in the market, it can be hard to work out which of the robot vacuum cleaners under £200 are worth buying, and which are going to leave you disappointed. If you’re watching the pennies or want to get great value on a second robot vacuum for upstairs, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for our top picks of the best budget robot vacuum cleaners, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
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Trusted brand
Sensors for obstacles and drops
Works well on hard floors and carpets
App and smart home compatible
No mapping abilities
Price on writing: £160 | Weight: 2.7kg | Capacity: 0.6 litres | Runtime: 100 minutes on hard floors, 60 minutes on carpets | Charging time: 5-6 hours | Wi-Fi-compatible: Yes | Mapping technology: No
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full eufy BoostIQ Robovac 15C Max review
Mumsnetters really love a Eufy. Going through the forums, it's by far the most often and highly-recommended brand for robot vacuum cleaners, with plenty of fans for premium and budget Eufys alike. The Eufy RoboVac 15C Max utilises two spinning brushes to clean corners and has innovative sensors to prevent it from bashing into walls or toppling down your stairs. Three suction settings – Standard, Boost IQ and Max –make light work of crumbs, dirt, dust and pet hair - plus, it can tell when it moves from hard floors to carpet, and adjusts its suction accordingly.
Compared to the slightly cheaper Eufy 11S, it’s clear what makes the 15C Max a better vacuum cleaner. While it doesn’t have mapping capabilities, the 15C’s sensors mean it can navigate around obstacles and avoid drops, so you don’t need to worry about it getting tangled, stuck or crashing down the stairs. Offering accurate edge cleaning and an 100-minute runtime, the 15C Max can be controlled via an easy-to-use remote, or for the more tech-savvy amongst us, using the app or Alexa smart home devices.
Read next: Best robot mops for faff-free floor care
Mops and vacuums
Basic mapping technology
Impressive suction
Only suitable for mopping minimal dirt
Price on writing: £149 | Weight: 2.9kg | Capacity: 0.45 litres | Runtime: 150 minutes | Charging time: 5 hours | Wi-Fi-compatible: Yes | Mapping technology: Yes
This clever device ticks not one, but two things off the housework to-do list. Capable of both vacuuming and mopping, the Honiture G20 uses gyroscopic navigation to generate a simple map of your home. It then sets to work systematically mopping and vacuuming your floors, so you don’t have to.
With an anti-drop sensor, it’s safe to use upstairs without having to make a little fence, and it has an impressive suction power of 3,000 Pa. At £150, it’s a real bargain compared to other vac-mop hybrids, which can set you back up to £900. However if you’re looking for advanced mapping technology or a powerful mop that can tackle more than light dirt, you might want to consider pricier options. For simple floorplans and regular cleans though, Mumsnetters give this one the thumbs up.
Related: The best budget washing machines under £500
6 cleaning modes
Sensors can tell what type of floor it's on
No mapping or app
Water tank for mopping sold separately
Price on writing: £150 | Weight: 3.2kg | Capacity: 0.6 litres | Runtime: 100 minutes | Charging time: 5-6 hours | Wi-Fi-compatible: No | Mapping technology: No
Suitable for use on both carpets and hard floors, the Bagotte BG600 doesn’t have mapping or an app, but it does have sensors to stop it falling down the stairs and help it avoid obstacles. If you have a straightforward floorplan and keep the floors pretty tidy, this is a great budget option.
The BG600 performs particularly well on hard floors, thanks to its responsive sensors and 6 cleaning modes. It moves well between hard floors and carpet or rugs, where some cheap robot vacuum cleaners tend to trip and spill dust, the Bagotte takes it all in its stride. While the BG600 is technically a vac-mop hybrid, the water tank is sold separately and is out of stock at the time of writing, which is certainly something to be aware of if you’re looking for a robot that does both.
Related: The best handheld vacuum cleaners, according to Mumsnet users
App, Alexa and Google Home compatible
Sensors for different floor types
Great suction for hair
Ability to schedule cleans
Can only mop minimal dirt
Price on writing: £139 | Weight: 2.6kg | Capacity: 0.5 litres | Runtime: 120 minutes | Charging time: 3-5 hours | Wi-Fi-compatible: Yes | Mapping technology: Yes
With a mop function for hard floors and maximum suction mode for carpet, the Proscenic 850T performs impressively when pitted against pet hair. Using basic gyroscopic mapping, it systematically moves around your home, ensuring every part of the floor gets its attention.
Reviewers don’t rate its mopping abilities against heavy dirt, so expect more of a light wipedown from the Proscenic. It has sensors for different floor types, obstacles and drops, making it pretty self-sufficient. There’s also an app and it’s Alexa and Google Home compatible, so you can schedule cleans for when it suits you. All in all, a great buy.
Read next: The best vacuum cleaners for pet hair, as recommended by Mumsnetters
Making the most of your budget robot vacuum
While the main selling point of robot vacuum cleaners is how low maintenance they are, that doesn't mean they don't need a little TLC to get the best out of them. Here are some tips to ensure that your robot vacuum cleaner remains efficient, reliable, and provides you with clean floors for years to come.
Regularly clean brushes and filters: Clean the brushes and filters of your robot vacuum cleaner regularly to prevent clogs and ensure optimal performance.
Keep sensors and charging contacts clean: Dust and debris can accumulate on the robot vacuum's sensors and charging contacts, affecting its functionality. Clean them regularly to prevent any issues.
Check for blockages: Occasionally, check for any blockages in the vacuum's suction path and remove them to ensure uninterrupted cleaning sessions.
Inspect wheels and brushes: Inspect the wheels and brushes of your robot vacuum cleaner for signs of wear and tear. Replace them if necessary to maintain optimal cleaning performance.
Proper battery maintenance: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for battery maintenance, ensuring the battery is properly charged and cared for. This will extend the battery life and overall lifespan of your robot vacuum cleaner.
Tips for getting the best out of your robot vacuum cleaner
Here are some optimal usage tips to get the best performance out of your budget robot vacuum cleaner:
Create a clear floor plan: Before starting a cleaning session, clear the floor of any obstacles that might hinder the robot vacuum cleaner's movement. This will help it navigate your home more efficiently.
Utilize the companion app: If your robot vacuum cleaner comes with a companion app, take advantage of its features, such as scheduling cleaning sessions, adjusting cleaning settings, and monitoring the cleaning progress remotely.
Place the charging dock strategically: Position the charging dock in an easily accessible, open area to allow the robot vacuum cleaner to dock and recharge without any obstructions.
Utilize water flow control and mop pads: If your robot vacuum cleaner has mopping capabilities, adjust the water flow control to suit your hard floor cleaning needs. Also, regularly clean or replace the mop pads to maintain their effectiveness.
Utilize voice commands or remote control: If your robot vacuum cleaner supports voice commands or comes with a remote control, use them to easily control and direct the robot vacuum cleaner during cleaning sessions for maximum convenience.
By following these optimal usage tips, you can ensure that your budget robot vacuum cleaner performs at its best, providing efficient cleaning solutions, and making your life easier.
Are robot vacuum cleaners energy-efficient?
Robot vacuums have become increasingly energy-efficient, thanks to advancements in battery technology and intelligent cleaning features. Some of the ways robot vacuums achieve energy efficiency include:
Longer battery life: Robot vacuums now come with improved battery technology, allowing them to clean for longer periods without needing to recharge. This means less time spent using power and more time cleaning.
Smart home integration: Robot vacuums that integrate with smart home devices, such as voice assistants, allow you to schedule cleaning sessions, control your vacuum, and adjust settings remotely. This avoids unnecessary cleaning runs, optimizing energy usage.
Intelligent floor mapping: Some robot vacuums have sensors and advanced floor mapping capabilities. This enables them to clean specific areas efficiently, reducing cleaning time and minimizing energy usage.
Automated docking and charging: Robot vacuums docking on their charging station automatically when they need to recharge, avoiding the unnecessary use of power in standby mode.
These energy-efficient features ensure that robot vacuums make the most of the energy they consume, allowing for effective cleaning while minimizing their environmental impact.
Are expensive robot vacuums necessarily better?
While it may seem that expensive robot vacuums are inherently better than affordable options, this is not always the case. Affordable robot vacuums can offer great cleaning performance, advanced features, and smart home integration, all at a fraction of the price of high-end models. High-end robot vacuums may offer additional features, longer battery life, and enhanced build quality, but affordable robot vacuums can provide excellent cleaning solutions without breaking the bank. The key is to carefully evaluate your cleaning needs, desired features, and budget to find the best robot vacuum cleaner that meets your requirements.
It's also worth noting that, like Daleks, robot vacuum cleaners can't climb stairs, so you'll likely still need to have a regular or handheld vacuum cleaner as a back-up, even if you outsource the rest of your hoovering to your robot friend. Once a robot vac that can hoover the stairs is invented, you might be able to throw away your vacuum cleaner for good.
What makes a robot vacuum worth the investment?
Investing in a robot vacuum is worthwhile for several reasons. These autonomous cleaners save time and effort, reaching difficult areas that traditional vacuums can't. If you despise vacuuming or struggle to find the time to do it effectively, they offer convenience and one less thing on your to-do list. With features like scheduling, mapping and app control, it's possible to "set and forget" some robot vacuum cleaners, letting them bimble about while you get on with other things.
Read next: Are robot vacuum cleaners worth it?
What's the best budget robot vacuum cleaner to buy?
The Eufy 15C Max is the best budget robot vacuum cleaner to buy right now. Eufy is a trusted and highly recommended brand, with dozens of Mumsnetters describing their Eufys as “life changing”.
The 15C Max is the best budget Eufy right now, with its app and smart sensors giving it the edge over other Eufys under £200 like the 11S.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.