Let's be honest: most people don't need a $1,500 robot vacuum. If you live in an apartment, a smaller house, or just want something to handle daily floor maintenance without babysitting it, a sub-$200 robot vacuum can absolutely get the job done. The category has matured a lot — you're not buying a random-bounce toy anymore. These things have real suction, decent navigation, and some even connect to your phone.
We tested over 15 budget robot vacuums on hardwood, tile, and low-pile carpet. We ran them on pet hair, cereal crumbs, and fine dust. We checked how loud they were, how long the battery lasted, and whether the apps were actually usable. The five picks below are the ones that earned their place. If you want to see how they stack up against premium models, check out our full best robot vacuums guide. And if you're dealing with pet dander in the air as well as on the floor, pairing one of these with a good air purifier makes a noticeable difference. For quick spot cleans between robot runs, our best handheld vacuums roundup has solid picks under $100.
One thing to set expectations on: at this price, you're giving up self-emptying docks, laser mapping, and advanced obstacle avoidance. What you're getting is a reliable, low-maintenance floor cleaner that runs on a schedule and keeps your floors from getting embarrassing between manual vacuums. For a lot of people, that's exactly enough.
#1 Eufy RoboVac 11S — Best Overall Under $200
Eufy RoboVac 11S
The 11S is the robot vacuum we'd hand to someone buying their first one. At just 2.85 inches tall, it slides under furniture that stops every other robot cold — sofas, bed frames, the gap under your TV stand. It's also remarkably quiet for the price, running at around 55dB on standard mode, which is genuinely unobtrusive. Suction is 1300Pa, which sounds modest but handles everyday dust, hair, and crumbs on hard floors and low-pile carpet without complaint. The triple-brush system (two side brushes plus a rolling brush) does a solid job sweeping debris toward the suction inlet. Navigation is the old-school bump-and-turn style — no mapping, no app — but it covers the floor reliably if you give it enough time. Battery life is around 100 minutes, which is enough for most apartments in one run. The remote control is simple and works fine. If you want Wi-Fi and scheduling from your phone, look at the Roomba 694 below — but if you just want something that quietly cleans your floors every day without fuss, the 11S is hard to beat at this price.
Pros
- Ultra-slim 2.85" profile — fits under most furniture
- Very quiet operation (~55dB)
- Strong suction for the price
- Up to 100 min battery life
Cons
- No Wi-Fi or app control
- Bump-and-turn navigation misses spots
#2 iRobot Roomba 694 — Best Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum Under $200
iRobot Roomba 694
The Roomba 694 is the entry point into the iRobot ecosystem, and it earns its spot here by doing the basics really well. Wi-Fi connectivity and the iRobot Home app mean you can start a clean from your phone, set a daily schedule, and get notifications when it's done or stuck. Alexa and Google Assistant support is included, so voice control works out of the box. The 3-stage cleaning system — side brush, rolling brushes, suction — handles hard floors and carpet transitions smoothly, and the Dirt Detect sensors make it spend extra time on dirtier areas, which is a genuinely useful feature. It's not the most powerful robot in this roundup, and the navigation is still random-pattern rather than systematic, but iRobot's reliability track record is real. Replacement parts are easy to find, the app is polished, and customer support is better than most budget brands. If you want a connected robot vacuum you can trust to just work, the 694 is the one.
Pros
- Wi-Fi + iRobot app with scheduling
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- Dirt Detect sensors for dirtier areas
- Strong brand reliability and parts availability
Cons
- Random navigation — not the most efficient
- Dustbin is small, needs frequent emptying
#3 Shark IQ AV970 — Best Self-Empty Feature Under $200
Shark IQ AV970
The Shark IQ AV970 punches well above its price class by offering self-empty functionality — a feature you normally don't see until you're spending $400 or more. The self-empty base holds about 30 days of debris, which means you can genuinely set it and forget it for weeks at a time. Navigation uses row-by-row cleaning rather than random bounce, so it covers the floor more systematically than the Eufy or Roomba 694. It handles pet hair well too, with a self-cleaning brushroll that resists tangles. The app works, scheduling is straightforward, and Wi-Fi setup is painless. Where it falls short is on thick carpet — suction isn't the strongest in this group — and the self-empty base is a bit loud when it kicks in. But for the price, getting a self-emptying robot vacuum that actually navigates intelligently is a genuinely impressive value proposition. If you hate emptying dustbins, this is your pick.
Pros
- Self-empty base — rare at this price
- Row-by-row systematic navigation
- Self-cleaning brushroll resists hair tangles
- Wi-Fi + app with scheduling
Cons
- Self-empty base is noticeably loud
- Struggles on thick or high-pile carpet
#4 Eufy RoboVac G30 — Best Navigation Under $200
Eufy RoboVac G30
The G30 is where Eufy steps up from the basic 11S with smarter path planning. Instead of random bouncing, it uses a gyroscope-based navigation system to clean in structured rows — you can actually watch it work methodically across the room rather than wandering. The result is better coverage in less time, and fewer missed patches in the middle of the floor. At 2000Pa suction it's stronger than the 11S, and the EufyHome app lets you set schedules, adjust suction levels, and check cleaning history. It handles the transition between hard floors and low-pile carpet without getting stuck. The trade-off versus the 11S is that it's slightly taller (2.96 inches), so it won't fit under quite as much furniture. It's also a bit louder. But if you want smarter cleaning and app control without jumping to a $300+ model, the G30 hits a sweet spot that's hard to argue with.
Pros
- Gyroscope-based row-by-row navigation
- 2000Pa suction — stronger than base Eufy models
- EufyHome app with scheduling
Cons
- Slightly taller than 11S — less under-furniture clearance
- No room mapping or no-go zones
#5 Lefant M210 Pro — Best Ultra-Budget Pick
Lefant M210 Pro
The Lefant M210 Pro is the answer to "what's the cheapest robot vacuum that actually works?" At around $80–$100, it undercuts everything else on this list while still delivering a functional cleaning experience on hard floors. The freemove anti-collision technology uses infrared sensors to avoid obstacles without bumping into them constantly, which is a step up from pure bump-and-turn navigation. It connects to the Lefant app for scheduling and has Alexa support. Battery life is around 120 minutes, which is genuinely impressive for the price. The catch is suction — at 2200Pa it sounds decent on paper, but real-world performance on carpet is mediocre, and the dustbin is tiny. It's also louder than the Eufy 11S. Think of this as a "better than nothing" pick for a small apartment with mostly hard floors, or a secondary robot for a specific room. It won't impress you, but it will keep your kitchen floor clean without costing much.
Pros
- Very affordable — often under $100
- 120-minute battery life
- App + Alexa support at this price is rare
Cons
- Weak real-world carpet performance
- Very small dustbin — needs frequent emptying
Which One Should You Buy?
- Best all-around under $200: Eufy RoboVac 11S — slim, quiet, reliable. The default recommendation.
- Want Wi-Fi and app control: iRobot Roomba 694 — trusted brand, polished app, Alexa support.
- Hate emptying dustbins: Shark IQ AV970 — self-empty base at a budget price is a rare find.
- Want smarter navigation: Eufy RoboVac G30 — row-by-row cleaning covers floors more thoroughly.
- Tightest budget: Lefant M210 Pro — under $100, works fine on hard floors in small spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best robot vacuum under $200?
The Eufy RoboVac 11S is our top pick for most people. It's slim enough to clean under furniture other robots can't reach, runs quietly, and handles everyday dust and hair on hard floors and low-pile carpet without issue. If you want Wi-Fi control, the iRobot Roomba 694 is the better choice — it adds app scheduling and Alexa support while staying under $200.
Do cheap robot vacuums actually work?
Yes — with realistic expectations. Budget robot vacuums won't deep-clean thick carpet or navigate around clutter like a $500+ model. But for daily maintenance on hard floors and low-pile carpet in a reasonably tidy space, they genuinely keep floors clean. Think of them as a complement to occasional manual vacuuming, not a full replacement.
How long do budget robot vacuums last?
Most budget robot vacuums last 2–4 years with regular use. The motors and batteries are the first things to go. Eufy and iRobot both have good replacement part availability, which extends the lifespan significantly. Cleaning the brushes and filter regularly makes a real difference — a clogged filter kills suction fast and puts extra strain on the motor.
Can a robot vacuum under $200 handle pet hair?
Moderately well. The Eufy RoboVac 11S and iRobot Roomba 694 both handle light-to-moderate pet hair shedding on hard floors. The Shark IQ AV970's self-cleaning brushroll is the best option in this price range for pet hair specifically, since it resists tangles. For heavy shedders or homes with multiple pets, you'll likely need to empty the dustbin more often and may want to step up to a mid-range model.
Is Wi-Fi control worth it on a budget robot vacuum?
If you want to set a daily schedule and forget about it, yes. Being able to start a clean from your phone when you leave for work — without pressing a button — is genuinely convenient. The iRobot Roomba 694 and Eufy G30 both offer this. If you're fine with pressing a button manually or using a remote, you can save money with the Eufy 11S and get a quieter, slimmer robot in return.