Why will many people never use robot vacuum cleaners again?

Robot vacuum cleaners are heavily advertised, but they don't live up to expectations. Despite their countless promises, many people have given up on their robot vacuums - and for more than one reason.

 

5. 'Set and forget' never happens

One of the biggest draws of buying a robot vacuum is that it eliminates the need to vacuum manually. In theory, you can have a spotless house with just the push of a button. But it takes a lot of setup to get there.

 

And despite all the improvements, there are still things that this type of robot can't avoid. Blankets or clothes can get caught in its rollers, or worse, the charging cord can get tangled in its body and need to be removed before it can continue its work.

You also need to replace many parts every month or year. These costs can add up, and replacement is not always easy.

4. Useful but difficult to use app

People also have trouble with the built-in navigation tools on these robot vacuums. There are a variety of ways to control the vacuum, but to get the most out of it, you'll need to download an app and learn all the tricks. At the very least, you can use the remote control that comes with some machines, or turn it on/off with a button on the machine itself.

You don't need to use an app to operate a robot vacuum. The robot can still learn the dimensions of the rooms it needs to clean and recognize the types of surfaces it comes into contact with. But to get the most out of the robot (and what you paid for), you need to learn how to use its app.

 

3. The "cleanliness" is much lower than the standard

Over time, and after using many robot vacuums, you will realize that these machines only clean surfaces; nothing more, nothing less.

There's also the issue of clutter. Imagine a room in your house that has a lot of clutter that's hard to move around. For example, a teenage daughter's bedroom is littered with clothes, or a home office with boxes of paper sitting right in the middle. A robot vacuum cleaner simply can't clean a room like that.

While their efforts are admirable, in most cases they will identify the objects to avoid and remove them. In contrast, with a hand vacuum, you can clean up that messy bedroom entrance, for example, or still get under your desk to pick up a few remaining clumps of trash.

2. Hidden costs really add up

The cost of owning a robot vacuum doesn't stop at the initial purchase, although that can be quite significant. When you look at Amazon and other retailers to get a sense of current prices for these machines, there are very few under $100 from companies you've never heard of, and a few 'Cadillac' models that cost close to $2,000. By comparison, most robot vacuums in 2025 will cost between $400 and $900.

 

There are also ongoing costs you have to pay for replacement parts. Eventually, they add up, whether it's dust bags, replacement rollers, filters, or anything else that breaks.

And like many tech products, robot vacuums are subject to planned obsolescence. Eventually, the company will stop updating the machine's software and stop selling replacement parts. When will that happen? It could be two years, five years, or more, but at some point, you'll be forced to upgrade to a new device, even if you don't want to.

1. You've given up too much privacy

Finally, for all the downsides of robot vacuums, many people have given up on using them due to privacy concerns. Several companies have come under fire in recent years for their methods of collecting user data. For example, according to Korea JoongAng Daily, Roborock has faced scrutiny over its data handling policies, with some concerned that data is being shared with Chinese affiliates or third parties.

Then there's the uncertainty about how AI will play an increased role in robot vacuums. It's already helping these machines map homes. Coupled with privacy concerns, where will that go? Could a bad actor gain access to your home, including data showing how many rooms are in it? No one at any robot vacuum company can say definitively that the answer is no, and that's scary.