Getty and ECOVACS
Do crumbs, dust and pet fur seem to be permanently attached to your floors? Then you’ve probably wished for another way to keep them spotless for longer without having to lug around a bucket of mop water. You’ve probably even searched for robotic vacuum mops only to ask yourself ‘Are robot vacuums really worth it?’ after spying the exxy price tag on some of the premium models. I know, because I’ve been there.
As a working mum of a toddler, keeping floors clean was a struggle. Luckily, in my role, I’ve had the opportunity to test several different robot floor cleaners, including two ECOVACS Deebots (ECOVACS is my favourite brand of the bunch). So I can confidently say, yes, they are worth it.
In this article, I will be going into depth about why I think robot cleaners are worth it, while Better Homes and Gardens editor Megan Osborne, pet-parent to a cat and a German shepherd, reviews the ECOVACS Deebot X8 Pro Omni (which is currently 40% off in Black Friday sales) to see how it stacks up.
Meet the reviewers
Megan Osborne, BHG editor, lives with a cat and a German shepherd and understands the challenges of keeping floors clean. She knows firsthand how pet hair and messes can challenge even the best cleaning routines, and she’s dedicated to uncovering which products truly deliver.
Tahni Mesann, BHG digital editor, is evangelical about robot floor cleaners and has tested countless floor cleaning appliances from leading brands including Ecovacs, Dyson, Shark, iRobot, and more. She’s low-key obsessed with keeping her floors spotless and loves separating cleaning facts from fiction.
5 reasons why robot vacuums are worth it
1. They save time
When a robot is taking care of your floors, you can spend precious time doing what you love. Plus many robot floor cleaners vacuum and mop at the same time which is just super efficient. I found that my entire house became cleaner after I got a robo vacuum and mop, because I could spend more time on other cleaning tasks, knowing the floors were taken care of.
2. High-end models look after themselves
Want to think about cleaning floors as little as possible? High-end models include self-empty, wash and dry functions that take the physical and mental labour out of the task. That being said, you will need to occasionally wipe down and maintain the machine, but some models require more input than others.
3. They clean, really well
Sophisticated robotic cleaners, including ECOVACS’ Deebot X8 Pro OMNI, for example, can heat water up to 75 degrees celsius to lift stubborn stains and dissolve grease. It can also detect whether there’s a spot on the floor that needs extra attention. This model auto-doses the cleaning solution, so it will always be using just the right amount of product to get the job done. It’s also worth noting that today’s robots clean in a systematic, back-and-forth pattern, rather than the random bump-and-go method used by older models.
As for changes in flooring type, many models will automatically detect a move from a hard-surface to a carpeted surface and adjust vacuum suction power accordingly. Many also have the ability to lift up their mop pads to avoid wetting zones with carpeting.
4. They can clean in hard-to-reach places
Dust bunnies under the bed? Or beneath the sofa? Say goodbye to back-breaking vacuuming and mopping, because the robot will get those hard-to-reach spots with no sweat!
5. Seeing the dirty tank after a scheduled clean is so satisfying
The latest robotic vacuum mops have two separate water compartments – one for clean water, the other for dirty water. Seeing how much dirt the machine picks up when I empty the dirty reservoir is always grossly satisfying.
ECOVACS Deebot X8 Omni review: A pet owner’s honest take
Better Homes and Gardens editor Megan was given the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni to test, here’s what she had to say:
“Being the owner of a German shepherd – trust me, you don’t know shedding until you’ve had a dog like this – and a cat, constant maintenance is essential for me. It can literally take mere hours for those triggering little dust bunnies of pet hair to appear. I had never tried a robo vac before, so I was extremely keen to give it a whirl.
“But did it live up to my expectations? Short answer; yes. I’ve been spoiled. I can’t go back to how things used to be. I love the ability to direct, monitor and customise the clean from my phone, and the first few cleans the X8 Omni (which I dubbed The Terminator) did, left both me, and my partner, speechless.
“This handy little robo vac also took out our 2025 BHG People’s Choice Appliance Awards in our Time Savers category, so the households of Australia obviously think it’s worth it, too.”
ECOVAC’s Deebot X8 Omni review verdict
Pros
- Handy app to turn it on and off on your phone – even when you’re not home.
- Ability to set up zones and order of vacuuming.
- Ability to easily adjust vacuum speed. And if adding mopping, it cuts down on manual vacuuming time by 90% or more (hallelujah!).
- Self-cleaning feature.
- Makes it feel like you have a live-in maid.
Cons
- You still need to do the occasional deep clean and manual vacuum or mop to get deep dirt out.
- If you have a cat, things like cat litter can be challenging. It does get most of it, but I’d still recommend a brief sweep beforehand.
- When switching between carpet and hard floor, it can dislodge chunkier items like cat litter or bunches of dog hair.
- The used water tank can get a bit smelly, so you do need to stay on top of best-practice manual cleaning as well.
Our top ECOVACS Black Friday deals
01
Deebot X8 Pro Omni
$1499 (usually $2499, save $1000), Ecovacs
Best for: Homes with a mix of hard and carpeted flooring
The Deebot X8 Pro Omni is designed to make cleaning almost completely hands-off. Its auto-empty bin and self-washing, self-drying mop station cut maintenance right down, so you’re not constantly emptying or rinsing parts. With powerful 18,000 Pa suction, smart mapping and great edge-cleaning, it picks up dust, hair and debris with ease. The roller mop and warm-water wash system keep floors looking fresh and streak-free. If you’ve got pets, mixed flooring or a busy household, the X8 Pro Omni delivers a noticeably deeper, more convenient clean than cheaper robots that still need lots of manual work.
Key features:
- 18,000 Pa suction power
- Self-emptying, self-washing and drying mop station
- ZeroTangle 2.0 anti-tangle main brush
- User-friendly set up
Available at:
02
Deebot T30S Pro
$649 (normally $1999, save $1350), Amazon
Best for: Value for money
If you’re looking for a robotic vacuum mop that fits in your budget but doesn’t compromise on functionality, you should definitely consider the Deebot T30S Pro. It has all the bells and whistles of more expensive models: it self cleans, it self dries, it self empties! Plus, buy it now and you’ll save $1350!
Key features:
- Affordable during Black Friday sales with $649 price tag
- ZeroTangle technology
- Self-emptying and mop-washing dock
- Pain free mapping process with ability to edit and adjust cleaning preferences in the mobile app
- Cleans with hot water up to 70 degrees Celsius
Available at:
- $649 from ECOVACS
03
Deebot T50 Pro Omni robotic vacuum
$899 (usually $1499, save $600), The Good Guys
Best for: Smart home integration
If seamless smart home integration is your thing, it’s worth spending a bit extra for a smart vacuum that connects to Google Assistant, Alexa or Apple HomeKit without a fuss. Tech aside, this machine will give your floors a serious clean. It has an auto-dose tank for the floor cleaning solution and boasts 15,000 Pascal suction and an antibacterial filter. “It saves me a lot of time and effort, especially on busy days,” writes one reviewer.
Key features:
- Smart home integration with Google Assistant, Alexa or Apple HomeKit
- Runs quietly at 64.9 decibels
- Auto-empty station is fitted with 3L dust bag
- Brush uses ZeroTangle 2.0 technology, making it perfect for people with pets
- Compatible with ECOVACS’ floor cleaning solution
Available at:
04
Deebot N20 Pro Plus robotic vacuum and mop
$498 (usually $999), Amazon
Best for: Saving on ongoing costs
Unlike many other self-emptying robotic vacuum mops on the market, the Deebot N20’s station is entirely bagless. Instead, it is fitted with a four-stage filtration system that captures dust. That means you’ll save money in the long run, as you won’t have to purchase vacuum cleaner bags. That being said, the filter does need to be replaced every couple of months (replacement filters are $29.90 for a set of three). Reviewers say this vacuum has great suction power and charges quickly.
Key features:
- Bagless auto-empty station
- Black Friday deals bring this robot vacuum mop to less than $500 – what a steal!
- Comes with 24-month manufacturer’s warranty
- The clear window makes it easy to see when the canister needs to be emptied (also, this is kind of satisfying, no?)
Available at:
- $999 from Harvey Norman
- $499 from The Good Guys
What to look for when buying a robot vacuum mop
Comparing different robot floor cleaners can be overwhelming, but here’s what I recommend looking out for.
Object avoidance
If you have pets or kids (i.e. someone that regularly has toys and random things on the floor at all times) then look out for a model with high-quality object avoidance and detection. This will reduce the need to clean before the cleaner.
Check how much the accessories cost
Your robot floor cleaner may be fairly independent, but at some point it will need bag changes, brush replacements, new mop-pads/rollers and cleaning solution. Factor these running costs into your decision when purchasing a machine. I recommend buying extra mop pads or rollers right from the get-go so you can have a spare set when the other needs a deep clean.
Furniture height
One of the greatest benefits of a robot vacuum cleaner is that they can clean where the eye can’t see, or places that hurt your back to reach. If you have furniture that’s close to the ground, check the height of the robotic vacuum cleaner and opt for something super slimline (like the Deebot T50 Pro Omni).
Auto hair detangling
There’s nothing worse than hair clogging up a vacuum cleaner. Many top robot vacuum cleaners have tangle-resistant or automatic hair detangling – a must for long-haired people or pet owners.
