So you want to buy a robot vacuum.
You know Roomba is the most popular brand.
But the price made you think twice.
“Surely, there must be an alternative.”
Well, actually, there are. Several, in fact.
And in many ways… Just as good as Roomba.
Continue reading to find out:
- 1 robot vacuum that’s even more expensive than any Roomba model.
- A Neato robot vacuum that has over twice the runtime of its competitors.
- 3 things you need to consider before buying a non-Roomba robot vacuum.
- Why a particular Roborock vacuum is included in TIME’s Top 100 Inventions of 2021.
- And this is just the beginning…
Is a Roomba knockoff worth it?
A Roomba knockoff is worth it because there are other capable robot vacuum makers today. Yes, Roomba is still number one in the robot vacuum industry. But you can now find robot vacuums from other manufacturers with specs like Roombas. And in some cases, they even come at a cheaper price.
5 most popular Roomba knockoffs
#1: Shark Robot Vacuums
While iRobot’s Roomba dominates the robot vacuum market, Shark is a distant second.
Per Statista, Shark’s market share jumped from 10% in 2019. To 18% in 2020. This is for North America.
Shark’s parent company, SharkNinja, is based in Massachusetts, USA. They’re known for being one of the leading brands in small home appliances.
Low-end Shark Robot Vacuums
Shark robot vacuums are known for their affordable price.
The Shark ION Robot Vacuum AV752 is a good example of that.
Priced at only $140, the AV752 offers great features such as:
- Voice control.
- Tri-Brush System.
- 120-minute runtime.
- Smartphone integration via SharkClean app.
The Shark ION series is comparable to iRobot’s Roomba 600 series.
The Roomba 694, in particular, is very similar in specs and price to the AV752. Although the Roomba 694 has a slightly better built. And does better with pet hair than the AV752.
High-End Shark Robot Vacuum
SharkNinja also offers high-end robot vacuums.
In 2019, they debuted the Shark IQ Robot. This is the company’s first smart robot vacuum.
They then followed it up with the release of the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum.
This model comes with a large self-empty base. Which is one of its main selling points.
Because of its size, the dustbin can hold a large amount of dirt and debris. You only need to clean out the dustbin every other month.
Other features include:
- 2 hours of battery life.
- Accurate home mapping.
- UltraClean mode for pet hair.
Priced at around $650. The Shark AI Ultra Robot is comparable to the Roomba j7+.
#2: Ecovacs DEEBOT
Ecovacs Robotics is a Chinese-owned tech company. They are based in Suzhou, China.
In China, they’re the dominant name in robotics. Owning a 60% share of the robot market.
And their DEEBOT robot vacuums are starting to gain ground in North America.
One of their best-reviewed products is the Ecovacs DEEBOT 500.
It’s an upgrade from their previous entry-level model, the DEEBOT N79S.
The DEEBOT 500 is among Ecovacs’ all-time best-sellers.
And for good reasons.
Priced at a little over $250, the DEEBOT offers great features. These include:
- Max suction mode for 2x the power.
- Modes for cleaning small areas and floor edges.
- Voice and app control via the Ecovacs SmartApp.
Like the Shark ION series. The DEEBOT 500 is also at the level of iRobot’s Roomba 600 series.
Now here’s a fun fact.
Do you know what the current most expensive robot vacuum is?
No. It’s not any Roomba model.
As of April 2022, the most expensive robot vacuum actually is…
The Ecovacs DEEBOT X1 Omni Robot Vacuum.
Priced at around $1400.
“Why is it so expensive, though?”
Well, because it can practically do everything.
First of all, the DEEBOT X1 Omni is a hybrid vacuum cleaner and mop.
Not only can it empty its dustbin. Like other high-end robot vacuums.
But it can also wash and dry its own mop.
Some of its other impressive features include:
- Built-in voice interface.
- Superior suction power.
- Sophisticated laser-based navigation system.
Who says only Roomba can sell expensive robot vacuums, right?
You may check out this video of the DEEBOT X1 Omni in action:
#3: Neato Robot Vacuums
Neato Robotics is a California-based tech company.
They’re popular for their D-shaped robot vacuums. Similar to the Roomba s9+.
All of Neato’s robot vacuums actually come in that particular shape. Unlike other brands, they don’t produce round robot vacuums.
The reason, of course, is that D-shaped vacuums are better at cleaning corners.
Some of the features of Neato Robot Vacuums include:
- Self-charging capability.
- Photographic room mapping.
- A straight line pattern for cleaning.
- Laser range finder for object recognition.
Neato’s latest line of products is the Botvac connected series.
Their current best model is the Neato D10 Intelligent Robot Vacuum.
One particular feature of Neato D10 that pops out…
It’s 300-minute runtime. Which is incredible.
To put that in perspective, other competitors have around a 120-minute runtime. The D10 is over twice that amount.
Another great feature of the D10 model is a True HEPA filter.
“What exactly is True HEPA filter?”
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. It’s basically a type of air filter. And when it’s True HEPA, it means it can capture even the tiniest particles.
The Neato D10 has that capability. So you know it can clean thoroughly.
Other D10 features include:
- Eco mode to save energy.
- Big brush that’s effective for any surface.
- Turbo and Max mode for a deeper, more powerful cleaning.
#4: Eufy RoboVac
Eufy is another Chinese-owned robot vacuum maker. Its parent company, Anker Innovations, is based in Hunan, China.
One of Eufy’s best-received products is the BoostIQ RoboVac 11S.
This particular robot vacuum is popular for its slim design.
It’s about only 2.85 inches in height.
This allows the RoboVac 11S to sneak under furniture with narrow bottom space.
Another feature that sets RoboVac S11 apart from the competition…
Its quiet cleaning mechanism.
It’s perfect if you’re at home. And you want your robot vacuum to clean with minimal disturbance.
Eufy also offers hybrid vacuum and mop products.
Among them is the Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid.
The X8 Hybrid is one of Eufy’s higher-end robot vacuums.
It performs well both on carpets and hard floors.
It has a pet hair magnet. Based on tests, the X8 can pick up up to 58% more hair than other robot vacuums. Which makes this a great choice if you have pets.
Some of the other features of the X8 Hybrid include:
- App integration.
- Multi-floor mapping ability.
- 250 mL water tank capacity.
- Recharge and resume capability.
You might be interested: 9 Reasons Why Your Eufy Vacuum Won’t Connect To Wifi + Tips
#5: Roborock Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Roborock is a relatively new robot vacuum company.
Founded only in 2014, its products are now available in over 40 countries. Its headquarters are located in China and Hong Kong.
Yes, Roborock’s only been in the business for a few years. But it’s already recognized as one of the most innovative robot vacuum makers today.
The Roborock S7 was included in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2021. TIME called it “a vacuum with brains”.
The Roborock S7 is another one of those vacuum-mop hybrids.
What’s impressive about it is the ability to recognize both hard floors and carpets. Just like the Roomba s9+.
When the S7 detects a hard floor, it vacuums and then mops.
When it recognizes a carpet, it lifts the mop automatically. So your carpet never gets wet.
Pretty amazing, right?
Another widely-praised Roborock product is the S4 Max.
It’s one of the smartest vacuum robots you can buy for under $300.
Its precision low-light navigation allows it to perform well even in dark rooms.
It’s also capable of mapping out up to 4 levels of any building.
And with the help of the Roborock app, you can perform various commands with the S4.
The one drawback of the S4 Max?
It’s not as good as cleaning rugs. At least not compared to its i Series Roomba counterparts.
Still a great buy at its price, though.
Roomba knockoff: 3 things you should know
#1: Price
Price is the main reason people look for Roomba knockoffs.
Let’s face it. Roombas aren’t exactly the cheapest.
But if you scan the robot vacuum market, you’ll see…
There actually isn’t that big of a price difference. Between Roomba and other top robot vacuum makers.
This is because of the advancement in other companies’ robot vacuum technology.
So you have to remember that if you want a great robot vacuum?
You’d have to spend a good amount. Regardless of the brand.
Further reading: 5 Reasons Roombas Are So Damn Expensive
#2: Functionalities
This is another important thing to consider when buying a knockoff.
Based on user reviews, how well do the products actually perform?
The rise of competition in the robot vacuum market is actually great. Roomba, while still excellent, no longer has a monopoly on robot vacuums.
You now have plenty of choices when it comes to brands. Each of them also differs in the specs they offer.
Each manufacturer also offers both entry-level and high-level robot vacuums.
So before buying, know which specs are most important to you. And then look for brands and models that best match what you need.
#3: Durability
Another factor to consider is the average lifespan.
How durable is the knockoff robot vacuum? How long will it last?
“What’s the best way to know that?”
By reading reviews. Not from the manufacturer’s website. But from actual users. You can find honest reviews in online shops like Amazon.
Roombas have an average lifespan of 4-6 years. Which is great for a robot vacuum.
If the knockoff you’re planning to buy couldn’t match that…
And the price difference to Roomba isn’t big…
Then it’s best to go with Roomba instead.
Bonus: Repairability
One of Roomba’s best advantages over the competition is the ease of repair.
That’s because original Roomba parts are readily available online. Not only that, the parts are easily replaceable. No need to go to a service center. You can do it yourself.
When buying a knockoff, make sure to check about part replacements.
For your robot vacuum to last long, you’ll need to periodically change its parts.
And when your knockoff robot vacuum comes from another country?
You may struggle to get replacement parts.