Are cheap robot vacuums worth it?

Yes—cheap robot vacuums can be worth it, but only in the right use case. Budget robot vacuums typically run about $100–$200 new; midrange models with mapping are usually about $200–$450; and if you’d rather spend on cleaning power instead of automation, cordless stick vacuums are often about $150–$400.

For hard floors, low-pile carpet, dust, crumbs, and light pet hair, a cheap robot vacuum can be a great “maintenance cleaner.” It’s usually not worth it if you want deep carpet cleaning, reliable obstacle avoidance, app-driven room control, or truly hands-off operation. If you have cluttered floors, lots of rugs, heavy shedding, or mixed surfaces, a midrange robot or a cordless stick vacuum is often a better buy.

Quick caveat: prices change often, so check sold/completed listings before buying to see what people are actually paying.