We’ve lined up a selection of the best robot vacuums that will clean every inch of your small space, including models from popular brands like Eufy and iRobot.
You might have given up on the idea of using a robot vacuum in your small space, but it turns out that you can still rely on these devices to get the job done. Robot vacuum bases tend to need ample room around them so the vacuum sensors can find their way home, but this just means you might have to get creative about placement. Maybe you have that one awkwardly empty area that’s the perfect size for a robot vacuum base. Now you know what to put there.
Some robot vacuums are clearly better for large homes — the iRobot Roomba i9+ with its self-emptying behemoth of a base is probably not the best choice when you’re trying to be economical with your space.
Other, smaller robot vacuums actually do a sufficient job with little room to work. And it’s not just little robot vacuums from random brands you’ve never heard of on Amazon. iRobot and Eufy make robot vacuum models that work for any sized home.
Do robot vacuums work in small spaces?
If your home is jam-packed with furniture and you don’t have much exposed floor space, you’re probably better off not getting a robot vacuum. They need sufficient space to be able to maneuver around and find their way back to their charging stations. But if you have some floor space to work with, a robot vacuum can actually do a good job cleaning.
And the nice thing about cleaning a smaller space is you don’t have to worry about the vacuum’s run time or battery life. It likely won’t take long to sweep the entire floor, and your robot vacuum can probably do the whole route without using a full battery charge. That also means you won’t have to empty the dustbin as often as you would if you lived in a big house.
To make the most out of your space, put the robot vacuum base underneath side tables or other furniture with ample room below it. Just make sure the vacuum can return for charging without issues.
Most robot vacuums have scheduling features, so you can set your robot vacuum to run while you’re out of the house or a time when you won’t be walking around in your home if you want to avoid the robot vacuum nipping at your feet. And to get the best results, make sure you don’t have any loose items lying around on the floor.
What should you look for in a robot vacuum for small spaces?
When looking for a robot vacuum for small areas, you have to think about the layout of your space. If almost every inch of floor space is covered with furniture, you’re going to need a robot vacuum with a short profile that can actually move under and around furniture without bumping into stuff or getting stuck underneath the bed or sofa.
Robot vacuums sweep in either a random pattern or in neat rows, but with a small home, you probably don’t need to shell out the extra cash for neat rows because depending on your setup, you won’t have a lot of open space that would require meticulous, row-by-row cleaning.
Some of the cheaper, smaller robot vacuums aren’t great for carpet, but leave hardwood floors so clean you’ll actually want to walk barefoot on them. If you have carpet in your home, look for a robot vacuum with powerful suction and a deep-cleaning brush roll. For hardwood floors, there are some robot vacuums that also have mopping functionality. This is awesome for saving space because you get two appliances in one.
Are robot vacuums actually worth buying?
Some people don’t mind vacuuming, and in small homes it doesn’t take that long. Upright vacuums will work well for these people, but the appeal of a robot vacuum is absolutely there.
Deciding whether a robot vacuum is worth it is really a personal preference. They definitely add some convenience to your life by taking over the manpower of vacuuming your floors. And with app control and remote scheduling, you can clean your floors without even being at home. But robot vacuums can get quite pricey and you don’t have full control over where and how they clean.
Make sure to get one that is powerful enough to suck up your messes and low-profile enough that it’s not the focal point of your home to really make a robot vacuum worthwhile.
What is the best robot vacuum for small spaces?
There are absolutely loads of robot vacuums out there, but not every device is suited to small spaces. It’s always difficult shopping for something like a robot vacuum, because there are so many similar devices with similar set of features, and how are you supposed to know which device is right for your home? This is where we can help.
We have lined up a selection of standout robot vacuums for small spaces, including popular models from top brands like iRobot and Eufy. Take your time, assess your options, and pick a favourite from this impressive bunch. There should be something for every home and budget in this list.
These are the best robot vacuums for small spaces in 2021.
Slim profile • Powerful suction • Quiet • Quick clean mode
No app • Not good for thick carpeting • Inefficient cleaning pattern
This robot vacuum will easily clean under and around furniture, and its long battery life means your entire home can get cleaned in one go.
Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S
Bring out the Eufy 11S when your place needs a quick, once over clean.-
Cleaning pattern:
Random -
Run time:
100 minutes -
App connected:
No -
Voice assistant integration:
N/A -
Dimensions:
12.8 x 12.8 x 2.85 inches
The robot vacuum is best for low- to medium-pile carpet or hard flooring — it doesn’t perform super well on high-pile carpet. Put the RoboVac 11S is standard or max modes depending on the surface you’re cleaning and how messy it is.
Although it’s small, the Eufy vacuum doesn’t cut corners with features: It has multiple cleaning modes, operates quietly, easily transitions between floor types, and has sensors that prevent it from falling or bumping into things. But because of its low price, the robot vacuum doesn’t have WiFi capabilities, so all controls are located on the included remote.
Cleans edges • App scheduling and controls • Dual brush system digs deep in carpet
Not as powerful as other Roomba models
Though it’s not the most powerful Roomba on the market, the 671 is still very impressive.
iRobot Roomba 671
A dual brush system digs deep in carpet to pull up embedded hair, dirt, and debris.-
Cleaning pattern:
Random -
Run time:
90 minutes -
App connected:
Yes -
Voice assistant integration:
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant -
Dimensions:
13.4 x 13.4 x 3.54 inches
That doesn’t mean it underperforms, though. The suction is slightly weaker, but still impressive and efficient on carpets. On its underside, the Roomba 671 has dual brushes that dig deep in carpet to pull up dirt, hair, and debris embedded in the fibers.
Of course, it’s also a beast on hard flooring as well.
Works at night • Good for low-pile carpets • Gets into tricky corners
Might have trouble with dark coloured carpets
The Neato Robotics D4 robot vacuum offers detailed cleaning and intuitive features for an impressive price.
Neato Robotics D4
The Neato Robotics D4 offers smart mapping at a price that’s tough to beat.-
Cleaning pattern:
Intelligent mapping -
Run time:
75 minutes -
App connected:
Yes -
Voice assistant integration:
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant -
Dimensions:
13.21 x 12.56 x 3.92 inches
It cleans in straight lines, allows you to set boundaries, and will really get into those tricky corners. The large 11-inch combo brush will cover more carpet in a single run than most Roomba models, and uses laser navigation to map out cleaning sessions.
Battery life can suffers on high and medium pile carpets and rugs, but thinner carpeting is not a problem. It’s generally better on carpets than hardwood or tile floors, so keep that in mind if you have a combination of the two in your flat.
Smart mapping • Industry-leading suction power • Compatible with self-emptying base • Good for carpets and pet hair
Some features may be unnecessary for small apartments
The Roomba i7 has seriously impressive features like smart mapping and rubber brushes that won’t get tangled.
iRobot Roomba i7
Compatible with iRobot’s self-emptying base, the Roomba i7 is a good investment if you plan to upsize in the future.-
Cleaning pattern:
Neat rows -
Run time:
75 minutes -
App connected:
Yes -
Voice assistant integration:
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant -
Dimensions:
13.34 x 13.26 x 3.63 inches
The i7 is compatible with iRobot’s self-emptying base, so when you decide to upsize your home you can also upgrade your robot vacuum without buying a totally new one. This robot vacuum has some of iRobot’s most advanced technology and power under its hood, with 10 times the suction power of standard Roombas.
The i7 has smart mapping, which learns your home’s layout — granted if you live in a one-room rectangle apartment, that’s kind of a useless feature.
Good on hardwood floors • Three cleaning modes • Sensors prevent drops and collisions
Have to clean the filter between each use • No smartphone app • No brush roll
The ILIFE V3s is pretty basic, but when you don’t have much floor to clean, you don’t need anything too fancy.
ILIFE V3s Pro
The ILIFE will keep your floors clear of dirt and debris without breaking the bank.-
Cleaning pattern:
Random -
Run time:
100 minutes -
App connected:
No -
Voice assistant integration:
N/A -
Dimensions:
11.8 x 11.8 x 3 inches
For a cheap robot vacuum that gets the job done, turn to the ILIFE V3s Pro. Now, obviously this vacuum isn’t going to blow your mind and it’s not going to be the best for carpet (it doesn’t have a brush roll), but it does some serious work on hard floors.
It also has a pretty small footprint and the docking station won’t take up a lot of space.