I’ve tested robot vacuums in all price ranges, and if I were in the market for one, I’d go with a mid-range model. These robot vacuums typically range between $400 and $1,000, a decidedly affordable alternative to a flagship vacuum that costs $1,800 or $1,900.
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Because you’re compromising on price, you can also expect to compromise on features. Some units, however, are rare unicorns in the market, with high-end features for a surprisingly affordable price. Such is the case with the new Ecovacs N20 Series, which cost $450 and $800, respectively.
The Deebot N30 Omni features 10,000Pa suction power and a Zero Tangle brush roller that easily scoops up pet hair and debris. One of its two rotating mop pads can extend into corners, using Ecovacs’ TruEdge Adaptive Edge mopping technology to thoroughly clean corners often missed by robot vacuums and mops.
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This type of hands-free convenience typically costs over $1,000. You can expect some compromises with a lower price, and the N30 Omni is no exception, as I found when I subjected it to controlled and typical home environment testing.
This N30 robot vacuum was prone to getting its brush roller stuck on small obstacles, like socks and toys, strewn about the floor about 33% of the time. I did a test with pet waste, and it either pushed it or tried to vacuum it up half the time. Of course, if the pet waste were real, then the robot would have likely spread it all over my house, which would have been atrocious.
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High-end models feature more advanced obstacle avoidance, including additional pet waste avoidance features. Some, like the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, even use AI-powered visual recognition to discern what pet waste is and what a dust bunny is. You’ll have to pay more for these extra obstacle avoidance features.
The Deebot N30 Omni and N20 Omni are perfect for anyone looking to upgrade from an entry-level or budget robot vacuum. This is especially true if you don’t have kids that leave stuff all over your home, or you don’t mind getting your cords off the floor before a cleaning session.