The most common robot vacuum problems, from 507 verified buyers

1. The most common robot vacuum problem owners report: “Broke down or developed a fault”, raised in 25% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Doesn't clean well: weak suction, leaves dirt behind or struggles on carpet” (23%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Cleans well, with strong suction”, in 26% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 80% of verified buyers rated their robot vacuum 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; robot vacuums rank 36 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 16% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 6.
5. Across the 6 robot vacuums with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 75% to 95%.
6. Buyers in the UK were the happiest (91% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the rest of Europe the least (78%).

Share of the 100 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault25%
   Came up on 7 models
2. 2. Doesn't clean well: weak suction, leaves dirt behind or struggles on carpet23%
   Came up on 6 models
3. 3. Navigation trouble: gets stuck, loses its map or can't find the dock16%
   Came up on 6 models
4. 4. Mop pads and station problems9%
   Came up on 4 models
5. 5. Slow support, repairs or spare parts7%
   Came up on 2 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault (25% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

2. 2. Doesn't clean well: weak suction, leaves dirt behind or struggles on carpet (23% of complaints)

   Robots clean little and often: for thick carpet or pets, look at independent pickup tests, and keep a stick vacuum for corners.

3. 3. Navigation trouble: gets stuck, loses its map or can't find the dock (16% of complaints)

   Clear cables, socks and low furniture first, and check its height against your sofa. Laser or camera navigation gets lost less than cheap bump-and-turn models.

4. 4. Mop pads and station problems (9% of complaints)

   Check what the station needs: room around it, bags or water tanks to empty, and the price of replacement pads and bags.

5. 5. Slow support, repairs or spare parts (7% of complaints)

   Check how long the guarantee runs, whether the maker repairs in your country, and whether parts like filters, brushes and batteries are sold separately.

Share of the 407 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Cleans well, with strong suction26%
   Came up on 8 models
2. 2. Mops well as well as vacuuming19%
   Came up on 9 models
3. 3. Easy to set up and run from the app14%
   Came up on 8 models
4. 4. Gets into corners and under furniture2%
   Came up on 2 models
5. 5. Quiet1%
   Came up on 3 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.