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Robot vacuum buying guide: what the specs actually mean
Robot vacuum spec sheets are full of big numbers. Some matter a lot, others are mostly marketing. Here is how to read them.
Suction (Pa): useful, but treat it as a claim
Brands quote suction in pascals (Pa), and the numbers keep climbing. They are not tested the same way across brands, and sources disagree. Tom's Guide cites 42,000 Pa for the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete, while Dreame rates it at 35,000 Pa. Use suction to compare models within a brand, and rely on reviews for real cleaning results.
The dock decides how hands-off it is
- Self-emptying: empties the robot's bin into a bag. The Tapo RV30 Max Plus has this at about $300.
- Mop washing and drying: washes the mop, often with hot water, then dries it to prevent smells. Most models above $500 in our list do this.
- Auto refill and drain: some docks connect to plumbing. Most use clean and dirty water tanks you empty by hand.
Mop type
Plate mops are basic and need hand rinsing. Spinning pads scrub harder and can lift over carpet. Roller mops, like on the Eufy Omni C28 and Ecovacs T90 Pro Omni, rinse themselves as they clean. Look for mop lifting if you have rugs.
Obstacle avoidance
Robots with cameras usually avoid socks, cables and pet messes better. In Vacuum Wars testing on 24 objects, the Eufy Omni S2 avoided all 24 and the Roborock Saros 20 avoided 17. Camera-free models such as the Eufy Omni C28 rely on LiDAR and lasers, which are weaker in cluttered rooms.
Climbing height
If you have door thresholds or thick rug edges, check climbing height, and prefer tested figures. Several robots climb far less in testing than their rating. The Dreame L60 Pro Ultra is rated at 88 mm and managed 51 mm for Vacuum Wars.
Height under furniture
Measure the gap under your sofa and bed. Slim models like the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete (79.5 mm) and Roborock Saros 10R (79.8 mm) fit where taller ones such as the Eufy Omni C28 (110.5 mm) cannot.
Wi-Fi and smart home
Check the Wi-Fi band. The Tapo RV30 Max Plus only works on 2.4 GHz and has no Matter or Apple Home support.
Short version
Decide on the dock you want first, then check obstacle avoidance, climbing height and height under your furniture. Treat suction as a tie-breaker. See our picks by budget →