2025 Robot Vacuum Rankings: Dreame and Roborock Lead as iRobot Fades

The final boss of smart home appliances isn't just performance—it's cost efficiency. As of December 2025, the robot vacuum market is witnessing a tectonic shift. With legacy giant iRobot filing for bankruptcy, consumers are looking for new leaders that offer more than just a famous name.

A New Leaderboard for the Smart Home

Testing in various environments has revealed a clear winner. The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller has claimed the spot for the best overall robot vacuum, dethroning the Roborock Saros 10R. While the Saros 10R remains the top choice for corner cleaning, Dreame's latest model offers superior mopping and obstacle navigation that justifies its price tag.

Meanwhile, the fall of iRobot has introduced a layer of uncertainty. Although existing Roomba units will continue to function, experts warn about unplanned obsolescence. On the budget end, older favorites like the Shark Matrix Plus have been removed from top recommendations, as they've become too basic compared to newer entry-level models released this year.

Testing the 2025 Innovation Frontier

The Dreame X50 Ultra made headlines at CES 2025 for its "climbing" ability. However, real-world evaluations show it still struggles with thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). The industry is now pivoting toward dock automation. New self-empty docks can now hold multiple sets of mopping pads, further reducing the need for human intervention.