The best budget robot vacuums for under £250

Vacuuming is an unavoidable part of life, and let's face it, it's no one's favourite household chore. Spending hours vacuuming your floors only to find a mess ten minutes later can be pretty soul-destroying, but what if there was a better way?

A robot vacuum cleaner might have once sounded like a sci-fi-esque pipedream, but today they are very much a reality. These handy time-saving robots work independently to clean your house while you get on with your day.

While some of the top range models can cost upward of £500, there is a whole range of lightweight and simple-to-use budget robot vacuums to choose from, but which model is the best for you?

To help make your shopping experience a little simpler, The Recommended scoured the web to find the best budget robot vacuum cleaners. Check out our top picks below and revolutionise your cleaning routine without breaking the bank.

Robot vacuums at a glance:

• Best overall budget robot vacuum: Proscenic 850T Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Best quiet budget robot vacuum: eufy RoboVac 15C MAX Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Best budget robot vacuum for pet hair: Bagotte Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Best budget robot vacuum for narrow spaces: Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Best budget robot vacuum with mop function: HONITURE Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Best value budget robot vacuum: Venga! Robot Vacuum Cleaner

The best budget robot vacuums

Best overall budget robot vacuum: Proscenic 850T Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £229

This robot vacuum features a 3-in-1 sweep, vacuum and mop design and has 3 adjustable suction levels to best suit your floor type. It is powered by a 2600mAh Li-ion battery and offers up to 120 minutes of cleaning time per charge.

The Proscenic 850T will automatically return to the charging base when low on battery for the ultimate hands-off cleaning experience. The vacuum can be controlled via remote and also Google and Amazon smart speakers.

Best quiet budget robot vacuum: eufy RoboVac 15C MAX Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £200

This robot vacuum offers up to 100 minutes of cleaning time per charge and promises to be no louder than a microwave. It is equipped with BoostIQ technology that automatically increases suction power when needed.

It can be controlled via the eufy Clean app and adapts its cleaning functions based on the flooring, and it also has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility for voice control use.

Best budget robot vacuum for pet hair: Bagotte BG750 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £199.99

The Bagotte robot vacuum cleaner comes equipped with a high-quality 2000Pa brushless motor that quickly and thoroughly removes animal hair and debris from your space.

The 4-in-1 design features 4 functions: sweep, roll, vacuum, and mop for an extensive clean, and has a built-in 0.6L rubbish container, which can hold waste from a week's worth of vacuuming.

Best budget robot vacuum for narrow spaces: Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £219.99

This robot vacuum is only 28cm wide and 7.6cm thick, allowing it to clean under and around furniture and obstacles with ease. It features an in-built 6D anti-collision infrared sensor and omnidirectional detection technology that adapts your cleaning pattern to your space.

It’s also equipped with an advanced nozzle and two side brushes with powerful suction power to draw hair, debris, and dust directly into the 500ml dust bucket. The Lefant M210 can be controlled via the App and is compatible with both Alexa & Google Home voice commands.

Best budget robot vacuum with mop function: HONITURE G20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £229

The HONITURE robot vacuum is equipped with up to 3000pa suction power and three adjustable suction levels that can be tailored to suit any space. This robot vacuum offers up to 120 minutes of cleaning time per charge at the standard suction level.

It can detect carpet and hard surfaces and automatically adjusts its suction levels accordingly, and it’s equipped with a 3.5L self-emptying and charging station where rubbish can be emptied after vacuuming. Controls are accessed via the mobile app or remote control, and it’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Best value budget robot vacuum: Venga! RVC ‎3000 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

RRP: £170.99

This robot vacuum is easy to use and features a ‘one touch’ operation mode for convenient use. The robot vacuum is equipped with six customisable cleaning modes and has a climbing capacity of up to 1.8cm - making travelling across raised door thresholds between rooms.

The Venga! Robot Vacuum is also designed with equipped with anti-collision and cliff sensors and will automatically return to the charging base for autonomous operation. It also comes with a floor-mopping function with a large 300 ml tank.

Robot vacuum cleaner buyer’s guide

So you’ve decided to throw in the towel and designate your household vacuuming to robots? Gone are the days of getting tangled in the vacuum wire, attempting to manoeuvre tight corners, and waking the whole house up.

However, before you can enjoy the benefits of robotic vacuum cleaners, there is an important purchasing choice to be made, and deciding which one to buy can be tricky - that’s why we’ve made this buyer’s guide.

It will help you realise how a robotic vacuum cleaner can help you, how to use the cleaners, and how they actually work. By the end of it, you should have the information to be able to match the right vacuum to your needs.

What are robot vacuums, and how do they work?

If you’re unclear about what robot vacuums actually are, the explanation is pretty simple. They are automatic devices designed to clean floors on their own. They usually have a circular or D-shaped design and are typically less than four inches tall.

They may seem quite freaky and tricky to work out when you first watch them, but when you know how they work it makes more sense. Inside the machines, the vacuum is made up of various sensors, algorithms, and brushes. These are used to navigate around your home, cleaning up dirt, dust, and other debris from your floors.

Sensors are also used to detect obstacles, and some robot vacuums also have mapping technology that allows them to remember the layout of your home for more efficient cleaning. There are other added features that the vacuum can come with, such as a mop.

When they are not helping with the chores, most robot vacuums come with a charging dock that they return to when their battery runs low. Otherwise, it’s a typical cabled charge. They all come with rubbish bags that can then be dispensed after a few days (this is the only work you really have to do).

What are the benefits of robot vacuums?

For many of us, robot vacuums can seem alien. We’ve all been used to handheld vacuums since we were born, so why should we now be changing to an automatic alternative? To help you understand this, we’ve listed a few benefits which might explain why there is an increasing demand for automatic vacuum cleaners.

Saves time

Probably the biggest advantage of getting a robot vacuum is the time it can save you. Depending on how much vacuuming you usually do, the robot vacuum can slash this. You won’t have to lift a finger other than the 10 or so minutes it will take to set up and dispose of dust/rubbish bags every few days. Maybe some charging as well.

Efficient cleaning

As we all know, vacuums are big clunky items, and it’s often hard to get them into the corners of rooms or gaps under sofas and beds. A robot vacuum can solve this as they are traditionally small and designed to get into those hard-to-reach areas which we might struggle with.

Convenience

Robot vacuums can be controlled from anywhere, so even when you’re out of the house, your floors can still be cleaned. You can arrive home to find a clean house or be chilling on the sofa and decide to ‘do the chores’ without even leaving a seated position. In short, very minimal effort is needed.

Accessibility

Using a robotic vacuum can help people with disabilities. It can be controlled from your smartphone, so even if you can’t use a handheld vacuum, you still have the option of a clean house. Robot vacuums are also significantly cheaper than cleaners (over a long period).

What types of surfaces are robot vacuums best for, and how do they perform on each?

If you are considering buying one, then you might want to consider how well robot vacuums perform on the flooring you currently have. You should also check that the robot has the specific cleaning modes that you need for the type of surface - you can learn more about cleaning modes in our section below. For now, here’s what surfaces robot vacuums can work on and how good they are:

• Carpets: Robot vacuums are great for cleaning carpets, as they can easily navigate around furniture and other obstacles. Some models have a "carpet boost" feature that increases suction power for a deeper clean. When thinking about buying a robot vacuum, you can check what carpet cleaning features it has and compare this to others.
• Hardwood floors: Robot vacuums are gentle enough to use on hardwood floors without causing damage. However, you should be careful with models that have spinning brushes, as they may scratch the surface over time. Some robot vacuums have mops to add an extra shine.
• Tile: Robot vacuums work well on tile floors, as they can easily pick up dirt and debris. Some models also have mopping capabilities to leave your tile floors looking shiny and clean.
• Varied: If you have varied surfaces in your house, then you should opt for the most multifunctional vacuum. Also, check the height the vacuum is able to climb over so if there are varied levels, it doesn’t become stuck.

What are the different cleaning modes offered by robot vacuums, and how do they work?

When looking at buying a robot vacuum, you will find they often have differing cleaning modes inbuilt. Each mode caters to a different form of cleaning so you should choose one which matches your needs the most. The most common cleaning modes available are:

Auto mode

This is the default mode that most robot vacuums use. The vacuum will navigate around the room, cleaning as it goes.

Spot cleaning

This mode is used for cleaning a specific area. You can place the robot vacuum in the area you want to clean, and it will clean that area in a circular motion.

Edge cleaning

This mode is used for cleaning along the edges of walls and furniture. The robot vacuum will navigate along the edges of the room. It will usually then return to the charging dock or stop after a select period of time.

Turbo mode

This mode increases suction power for a deeper clean. This isn’t usually sustainable for the vacuum's battery life but is helpful for times you need a quick clean-up.

Mopping mode

Some robot vacuums have a mopping mode that allows them to mop floors in addition to vacuuming. You will have to refill the vacuum with water once in a while to keep this feature working.

What features do robot vacuums have?

When choosing a robot vacuum, you should weigh up which features are important to you. By knowing the different features they can come with, you can pick the ones which are your priority and find the vacuum which matches this. Some of the main features are:

• Mapping technology: Robot vacuums can come with features that use sensors and cameras to map out a room's layout for efficient cleaning. Some even remember the layout of the area they’re cleaning, so they cover each space efficiently.
• Automatic charging: Some vacuums come with this and can recognise when their battery is getting low. The robot vacuum will then automatically return to its charging dock to recharge.
• Multi-surface cleaning: Robot vacuums can clean a variety of surfaces, including carpets, hardwood floors, and tiles.
• Virtual barriers: You can set up virtual barriers to prevent the robot vacuum from entering certain areas. This might be useful if you have a pet you don’t want to scare or a room that doesn’t need to be vacuumed.
• Voice control: Many robot vacuums are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to control the vacuum as you would a smart speaker.

How to choose the right robot vacuum for you

If you are still weighing up which robot vacuum will be good for you, then there are some key considerations to have in mind. These can help guide your purchase and select a vacuum out of the hundreds available.

• Cleaning needs: Consider the type of flooring you have in your home and the size of the debris you want to clean. Some models have more powerful suction or specialised brushes for pet hair or carpets. Prioritise the vacuum with the best features for your flooring.
• Navigation and mapping: If you have a large home, multiple floors, or lots of furniture, look for a model that uses mapping technology or advanced sensors for efficient cleaning. If there is only a small space you need for cleaning, this doesn't need to be considered much.
• Battery life: Look for a model with a battery that will last long enough to clean your entire home without needing to recharge. Long battery life can also help with bigger homes and if you want to make use of turbo features.
• Noise level: Some models are quieter than others. If you plan to run the vacuum while you are at home, you may want to consider a quieter model. Quieter models are also helpful for use around animals or babies.
• Budget: A big consideration. Robot vacuums range in price from less than £100 to over £1000. Determine your budget before you start shopping and stick to it - in this guide, we’ve selected the best budget models under £250 - a worthy investment if you hate hoovering!

If you want to read more expert-recommended round-ups and product guides, check out our Household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best mini dishwashers, the best handheld vacuums, and the best water flossers.