Kristin Ampt

Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Robot Vacuum Deals

If you've always wanted to buy a robot vacuum cleaners vacuum now's your chance. CNET's top-rated models are on sale this Black Friday and Cyber Monday and can save you up to 57%.

The Roborock Q7 Max offers strong pressure and smart mapping, with apps-based no-go zones, and its 180-minute runtime is impressive. It also self-empties itself and automatically refills its water tank.

1. Roomba j7+ from iRobot

The Roomba j7+, iRobot’s most intelligent robot to date, is the Roomba j7+. Its most significant advancement is an obstacle detection system that utilizes built-in AI to detect objects like charging cords, shoes and the dreaded pet waste that many other robots are unable to avoid (and often go through). It's also the first to automatically send you a photo of an object it encounters to let you know to avoid it in the future.

The Combo J7+ is the most efficient robot mop we've ever tested. It picks up dirt and spills quickly and leaves no trace of it was there. It's easy to control through the iRobot Home app which lets you schedule cleaning and create Keep Out Zones so that it doesn't vacuum areas you do not want it to. And it's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can turn it on and off using your voice.

The design is also more appealing than the competition. It features a sleek, top piece that resembles an toy, not the loud and annoying robot. And the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal System self-empties, which is great to reduce the time spent cleaning.

In our tests the j7+ was quick to clean up dust dirt, pet hair and even pet hair. The counter-rotating rubber brushes kept the debris in place, instead of scattering it on the floor. It was able to capture small gravel, sand and even a little grit. The majority of robots cannot accomplish this feat. It did without getting caught up in our pet's hair.

Although it's not as smart as the $1,217 iRobot Roomba s9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum, and it's not able to clean stairs, the J7+ is a solid option for those who require both a vac and a mop in their home. It's not expensive, and the IRobot app makes it user-friendly.

The iRobot Home App is easy to use, but we found it less reliable than other robotic cleaner apps. It can take a long time to download updates, and sometimes it's difficult to know whether the update is working until you see it in action.

2. Roborock Q5+

If you're looking to purchase an automated remote vacuum cleaner that can do more than just clean floors, your most effective option is likely to be one that is a hybrid. These machines are equipped with a water tank, so they can vacuum and mop at the same time. They also come with various additional features like smart mapping, small object avoidance, and the capability to wash and dry mopping pads. The negative is that they tend to be expensive at retail price, but on Black Friday and Cyber Monday they usually drop in price.

Roborock is one of our favorite robot vacuums and the Q5+ is no exception. This is their least expensive auto-empty model, and while it doesn't have some of the premium features you'll find on higher-end models (like no-go zones and multi-story memory) it's still a great option if you're willing compromise a bit in order to save hundreds of dollars.

The Q5+ is remarkably gentle when it comes to obstacles like tables and walls. This makes it an excellent option for homes with lots of furniture. It's also extremely thorough in cleaning dust bunnies. This is a place where many cheaper robot vacuums do not excel in. The Q5+'s navigation system is superb, with only a few mishaps on walls and corners.

The Q5+, as with other Roborock products can be controlled with just a few buttons on the device, or via the Roborock App. The app allows you to start and stop cleaning. You can also set up schedules, create virtual barriers and no-go zones, alter your home map, or re-label the rooms.

If you choose to purchase the Q5+, it comes with a brand new auto-empty dock that's specifically designed to make this robot simple to maintain. It requires a screwdriver to install, but once in place the process of emptying the bin is easy. It also features a large LCD display which is great to have when you're setting up schedules or altering settings. This feature isn't required for the majority of people, but it can help you easily keep track of the robot's maintenance schedules.

3. Narwal Freo X Ultra

The Freo X Ultra is a well-rounded robot mop and vacuum that's astonishingly clever in its vacuuming and mopping capabilities. Its design and function are among the best amazon vacuum on the market however it's expensive.

The base station looks nice and is hidden when it's not in use, and the size is quite compact. The primary selling point of the station is that it automates many tasks, chores and functions that other robots have to leave to you. It can store clean and dirty water and electrolyze and heat the water. Many other robots require you to do this.

Its vacuuming capabilities are also impressive. It's one of the only robovacs that I've tested that do an excellent job of collecting debris from unfinished floors, and it's not nearly as loud as the more expensive Roomba 980 or iRobot the 900 series.

However, the Freo X Ultra has its flaws, particularly in terms of navigation. Its LiDAR sensors and laser sensors aren’t as reliable as other robovacs. This means that it could get stuck or confused in certain corners or rooms in the house. It can't climb stairs as well as competitors, for instance, and it doesn't have an dock that allows you to create an exclusive cleaning zone for plush carpets.

The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is an excellent choice for those who need an automated vacuum that can do it all.

But if you want to save money, or just don't care about the limitations of this machine there are many other options available which include a variety of eufy models that cost substantially less. The Eufy Qrevo curv, for instance is a bit more expensive, but offers more features, such as stairs and a fully-function Dock, which provides an improved overall experience when vacuuming on plain floors carpets with low pile, and even high-pile ones.

4. Eufy RoboVac G30

eufy, an Anker company, has a track record of producing robot vacuums robot that strike the right balance between features, performance and price. The G30 Hybrid offers a powerful cleaning power for hard and carpet flooring, and mopping functions at an affordable price. It's easy to set up by snapping one of the side brushes on, turn on and plug in the charging dock. The app will guide you through the steps to connect your G30 to your Wi-Fi. The dock will need to be placed close to an outlet that has plenty of room to move.

The G30 is tiny, 2.85 inches tall to be exact, which means it can be tucked away under couches and other low-clearance furniture. The design is more modest than other models, sporting a sleek black finish and three buttons that are physical such as Auto Cleaning start/pause, Recharge and Spot Cleaning (which scrubs an area in an arc for two minutes). You can also connect the G30 to Amazon Alexa or Google Home to do unscheduled cleaning with voice commands.

The way the G30 cleans is what sets it apart from its rivals. It makes use of a built-in map to create an image of the immovable objects it encounters, remembering what it's already cleaned and the areas it's not able to access. When it needs to recharge, it will automatically return to its base and resumes cleaning from where it left off.

The elegant G30 has a few issues. The iRobot Roomba 675 is much better built, incurs lower recurring costs, charges faster and offers similar battery life while offering superior performance on floors that are unfinished and low-pile carpet. It comes with a larger dust bin that does not require as much emptying. It also comes with border strips that block it from certain areas. The G30 is less expensive and easier to maintain. Its smaller canister means it doesn't need to be emptied as often and has less difficulty with bulky items like cereal.