Episode Details

The iconic robot vacuum—the autonomous bot that can roam your home sucking up pet hair and Cheerios–is evolving. Manufacturers are shifting almost entirely to combo robot vac-mops. The question, for our vacuum tester, is whether they’re any good and if they’re worth the very steep prices (upwards of $1,600 for top-of-the-line models).

Wirecutter writer Evan Dent joins us to explain how the new vac-mops handle everyday messes, the homes they’re best suited for, and what you should know about storing and repairing them.

If you’re looking for a deal on a robot vac or vac-mop combo, he also shares the prices to watch for during Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day sale (or any deals event). 

This episode covers:

• Why robot vacuums are disappearing: Basic robot vacuums have reached a profit ceiling, so manufacturers are phasing them out. Instead, they can charge a premium for the added features of vac-mops.
• These new bots are only decent cleaners: The mop function isn't great for tough stains, and the mop pad actually makes them sit higher off the ground, which slightly reduces their vacuuming power. But they serve just fine as maintenance cleaners.
• The ideal home for a vac-mop: They work best on hard flooring on a single level of a  home (they can’t really  handle stairs). While carpet detection has improved, it still isn't flawless.
• The realities of bulky docks and limited repairability: Newer models rely on large docking stations that take up a significant amount of floor space. Plus, the added mopping components mean there are more parts that can break.
• When to buy and what to spend: Wait for major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday, or look for deals when newly updated models are released. A good price to look for on a mid-range combo vac-mop like our pick is around $600 or below.

Products we recommend: 

• A great vacuum-only robot: Roborock Q7 M5+Roborock Q7 M5+
• A decent $200-ish vacuum-only bot: Tapo RV30 Max Plus
• A solid entry-level robot vac-mop: Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25
   

Additional reading:

• Even Robots Don’t Want to Vacuum 
• The Best Robot Vacuums of 2026
• The 4 Best Robot Mop-Vac Combos of 2026 
• We Tested 16 Newfangled Robot Vacuum-Mop Combos. Don’t Buy One.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn mo