Vacuum robot test 2023

A few years ago, a vacuum robot was still known as a Harbinger of the smart home seen. Just 20 years ago, it was a dream for many homeowners no longer have to suckle yourself. Nowadays vacuum robots are not part of everyday life, but everyone has already heard about them and toyed with the idea of ​​buying this mixture of toys and household helpers. "Does it really make sense for this price?" or "They don't even get into the corners!" are statements that you still hear about the vacuum robots today. Of course, the question of price is still a problem, after all, these useful helpers are not available for less than 100 euros (of reasonable quality). Anyone who is interested in a robot or who has even briefly toyed with the idea of ​​getting a vacuum robot for their home will find advice in our Test series of the best vacuum robots 2023. While the comparison on this page goes into detail about the test criteria and the creation of the test scenario, each vacuum cleaner can also be used detailed review find. It can already be stated: The price is (thank God) not always decisive! 

Not only in 2030, already now - 2021!

The small household helpers are now more sophisticated than expected. The small, mostly round vacuum robots often contain (relatively) sophisticated software that ensures that they are carried out correctly. But of course it is not a high-performance computer. But not only the implementation system is decisive, the suction power, the capacity of the dust container and the thoroughness of the execution also play an important role. So we from tech watch designed a test scenario that examines the models for their strengths and weaknesses. In a limited area, each robot had to avoid obstacles, master the "jump" from parquet and tiles to carpet, and the duration of a cycle was also tested. Finally, each of the models had eight minutes to pick up 140 grams of dirt in a defined area. Here the wheat was separated from the chaff and it was shown which of the tested vacuum robot really sucks and which perhaps only convinces with its appearance or the software. Of course, the strength of the motor and the battery was also discussed. Overall, this opened up four major criteria categories, which are explained in detail below.

The criteria of the vacuum robot test

As always, criteria were established. In the case of the vacuum robot, the test series extends over four of these test areas. Of course, the special weighting is of great importance, after all, the suction power is probably the most important criterion, followed by the operation. The design and processing are second to none. Accordingly, the test was carried out under the following criteria and their weighting:

• Suck – 30%
• Battery Life – 20%
• Service – 30%
• Workmanship & Design – 20%

So far so good, so let's take a closer look at the individual evaluation points of our comparison!

Suck – 30%

Of course, the topic of suction covers the most important area. Well, it's also about vacuum robots...

Basically, these 30 percent can be divided into two important subject areas:

• suction
• system of implementation

These two points are accompanied by the other criteria thoroughness, speed, obstacles and volume. So the suction power tests how much the robot can pick up in one cycle and how it finishes in the 140 grams in 8 minutes test. The one that surprises the most Neato BotVac D85 which was able to pick up the most dirt at 116,8 grams. The iRobot Roomba 615 was also convincing with 113,2 grams. The offers the best suction power per euro MEDION MD 16192 with 101,91 grams.

When vacuuming, the volume was measured in decibels, which is reflected in a corresponding rating in this area. When it came to volume, the last-placed iLife v5s Pro finished best. He set 58,6 decibels as the benchmark. None of the other models made it below 60 dB.G

The "implementation system" evaluates the movement sequences of the vacuum robots. Can a system be recognized or is the vacuum robot just driving around wildly? Accordingly, the thoroughness can be determined. Our obstacle course showed whether objects such as chairs, cupboards or flower pots were skilfully curved around or whether they were left out over a large area. The Deebot M82 from ECOVACS Robotics and the Roomba 615 from iRobot stood out particularly in this difficult and therefore also heavily weighted area. This test area represented the largest gap between "good" and "bad" models. It must be said that all models, including when it came to suction power, performed well and by no means "didn't clean" or anything similar. You can find even more models at Homeandsmart.de

Battery Life – 20%

The battery life is self-explanatory. This bridges the gap between the energy of the battery and the associated area that can be cleaned. Of course, this also depends on the speed of the vacuum robot, but a long battery life often goes hand in hand with a large area per cycle. The clear test winner in this area is the Neato Botvac D85. With 280 square meters per charging cycle, it is the undisputed number one in this area. But as is the case in such a comparison, he has lost some feathers in the area of ​​"system of implementation".

The loading time also plays a role in this area. However, the weighting of this criterion is only a third of the 20 percent. Firstly, all models stay in the range of two to four hours. And secondly, it is the case with all vacuum robots that they find their way back to the charging station on their own after vacuuming, which is why charging is not an active process. It is therefore not complex and is therefore not to be taken into account so much.

Service – 30%

As can already be seen from the weighting, the operation is to be equated with the suction power. This largely depends on whether the vacuum robots are to be controlled by remote control or only via the buttons on the surface. Furthermore, the variation of modes is crucial. While some models only have one mode, other models have four modes to choose from. The test winner Roomba 615 from iRobot is striking.

MEDION surprises in our test with a great price-performance ratio. Part of this is the simple operation and programmability of the MD 16192.

Contrary to expectations, it only has one mode, which can only be activated by pressing the "CLEAN" button on the vacuum robot itself. This robs it of valuable points in the area of ​​software, but the simple operation is to be rated accordingly. Here it can be said directly that he accordingly has no timer. So it cannot start automatically. For many interested parties, this may already be an elimination criterion.

The vacuum robots from MEDION, iLife and ECOVACS Robotics are not quite as easy to use, but can be programmed for it.

Workmanship & Design – 20%

Originally, this area only had 15 percent, while battery life made up a quarter of the overall rating. But after we tested the actually powerful Neato Botvac D85, we realized that the design is also crucial for success. The somewhat angular frame of the D85 is well intentioned but unfortunately not yet fully developed.

The design of the iLife v5s Pro also had to make deductions. The shiny gold surface is nice to look at, but unsuitable for a household appliance, as it had streaks and scratches after the first wipe. The vacuum cleaner, even as a robot, is after all a useful object and not a toy.

The processing was mainly related to the cleaning and the maintenance of the equipment. All five vacuum robots can be emptied and cleaned very easily, which means that none of them could really set themselves apart from the competition in this area.

Editor's Choice - the iRobot Roomba 615

So it remains for us to make a recommendation on this page. Among the top 3 robot vacuums, this was extremely difficult as all three models were strong in a certain area. The third-placed MEDION MD 16192 is by far the real price-performance winner! For such a low price it is completely satisfactory and thorough. The Neato Botvac D85 in second place has its weaknesses in form and design, but the implementation system is very successful and it cleans very thoroughly. First place is the Roomba 615 from iRobot, which has extremely simple software, but cleans very well and simply gives a stable overall picture. The fact that he doesn't have a timer is made up for by the thoroughness and the system in the implementation. It also has a strong motor and a sufficient battery. What exactly the individual models have to offer in terms of advantages and disadvantages can be found easily in the individual reviews!

Conclusion on the vacuum robot test

The fact is that the vacuum robots are already well under development, but with a view to the weaknesses and, above all, the price, there will still be a lot to do in the coming years. Technology is evolving exponentially and similar to Smartphones or laptops, the technology in vacuum robots will also get better and better. Who knows, maybe in two years the first vacuum robot will also bring the newspaper or take out the garbage. Accordingly, it must be noted that the vacuum robots are not yet mandatory for the household. Nevertheless, they already deliver what is expected of them - and in very satisfactory quality. With the MEDION MD 16192, the leap below 150 euros should perhaps also be considered for the competition.

Accordingly, our scenarios follow to make the purchase decision easier:

Just show me the test winner, it will be fine.

iRobot Roomba 615.

I don't care about the price, he has to be able to do a lot.

Neato Botvac D85.

I'm saving up for the next smart fridge right now.

The MEDION MD16192 is absolutely unbeatable in price!

I want some toys in that thing too.

The ECOVACS Robotics Deebot M82 provides four modes that can be controlled via a remote control.