How we rate robot vacuums
Every robot on VacScope is described with the same fields and rated with the same rules, so any two pages can be compared honestly.
Where the specs come from
We start from the Amazon listing, then convert every value into the same units (Pa, minutes, inches, mm, days). Amazon listings are often incomplete or contradict themselves, so when a spec is missing or inconsistent we check the manufacturer's page or a reputable retailer for that exact model, and we list those sources on each robot's page. If a value can't be verified anywhere, we show a dash (—). We never estimate a spec to fill a chart.
Suction (Pa) and runtime are manufacturer claims measured in ideal conditions. Brands measure them differently, so treat small differences as noise and big ones as meaningful.
The seven editor scores
Scores run from 0 to 10. Two are calculated from the spec sheet on fixed scales that are the same across the whole site, so adding new robots never changes existing scores. Five are editorial judgments.
| Score | How it's calculated |
|---|---|
| Suction | Logarithmic scale on the claimed maximum suction: 2,000 Pa = 0, 35,000 Pa = 10. Shown as n/a when the brand doesn't publish a Pa figure. |
| Low profile | (4.2 − robot height in inches) ÷ 1.1, capped at 0–10. 3.1 in = 10, 4.2 in = 0. Shown as n/a when the robot's own height isn't published. |
| Navigation | Editorial: mapping sensor (LiDAR, solid-state, camera), obstacle avoidance (none < line laser < structured light < AI camera), and owner reports of getting stuck. |
| Mopping | Editorial: mop type (fixed pad < spinning pads < self-rinsing roller), pressure, mop lift or auto-detach for rugs, edge reach. Vacuum-only robots show n/a and aren't penalized in the overall score. |
| Hands-free | Editorial: charging dock only, self-emptying, or a full dock that washes and dries mops; bonus for hot water, auto refill and long bag capacity. |
| Pet hair | Editorial: anti-tangle brush design, suction and what owners with shedding pets report. |
| Value | Editorial: what you get for the price relative to similar robots, weighed against warranty, seller and the owner-review track record. |
The editor score shown on cards is a weighted average: suction 20%, navigation 20%, value 20%, hands-free 15%, mopping 10%, pet hair 10% and low profile 5%. An axis we can’t verify (shown as n/a) counts as 0, so missing data never makes a robot look better. The one exception is mopping on vacuum-only robots: its weight is spread over the other axes.
Owner reviews
We read the Amazon customer reviews for each listing and summarize the recurring themes, good and bad. Quotes are short excerpts credited to the reviewer. We don't write, edit the meaning of, or invent reviews.
Prices
Prices are a snapshot from Amazon.com on the date shown next to them. They change often, so the price on Amazon at the time of purchase is the one that applies. We only call something a deal when Amazon shows a real discount.
Money
We earn a commission when you buy through our Amazon links. Commissions never affect scores or rankings. See our affiliate disclosure.