TL;DR: Robot vacuums excel at automated floor cleaning while handheld vacuums handle spot cleaning and tight spaces better - choose based on your primary cleaning needs.
When you're shopping for a vacuum, there are two very different options: a robot vacuum that cleans on its own, and a handheld cordless vacuum you carry around. They look like competitors, but they actually solve different problems.
Let's figure out which one you need first.
What exactly is a robot vacuum?
A robot vacuum maps your home with LiDAR or cameras and cleans on a schedule. Set it up once, and it handles your floors while you're at work. With an auto-empty dock, you barely need to touch it.
The limitation: floors only. It can't reach shelves, beds, or car interiors.
Read our Roborock Q8 Max review for the full breakdown.
What exactly is a handheld vacuum?
A handheld vacuum is a lightweight, portable cleaner you hold in one hand. It excels at spot cleaning — car interiors, desk surfaces, couch cushions, keyboards, and tight spaces. Most weigh under 1.2 kg.
The trade-off: it's not meant for whole-floor cleaning. It's a precision tool, not a workhorse.
Check our cordless handheld vacuum review for more details.
How do robot and handheld vacuums compare?
| Feature | Robot Vacuum | Handheld Vacuum |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning mode | Automatic navigation | Manual (one-hand) |
| Coverage | Entire floor | Spot cleaning, tight spaces, car |
| Suction | 3,000~5,500Pa | 5,000~10,000Pa |
| Battery | 2~4 hours | 15~30 minutes |
| Weight | 3~4 kg | 0.5~1.2 kg |
| Sofa/bedding | No | Yes |
| Floor cleaning | Excellent | Partial |
| Price range | $120~400 | $25~80 |
Which vacuum type should you choose?
Get a robot vacuum if you
- Want automated daily floor cleaning
- Have mostly hard floors with low thresholds
- Are too busy or tired to vacuum manually
- Have budget for a premium purchase
Get a handheld vacuum if you
- Clean your car frequently
- Need spot cleaning for desks, couches, and bedding
- Already have a floor vacuum
- Want a lightweight, affordable secondary cleaner
What's the final recommendation?
These two are complementary, not competing. The robot handles floors; the handheld handles everything above floor level.
Pick one? If automated floor cleaning would change your daily life the most, go robot. If you need a quick tool for your car and furniture, start with a handheld. For most apartment dwellers, the robot vacuum delivers the bigger quality-of-life upgrade.
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