Picture this: A disc-shaped device gliding across your living room, mapping, sweeping, mopping—cleaning your floors while you sip your chai or take Zoom calls. Once a futuristic luxury, robotic vacuum cleaners have now entered the Indian mainstream. The question is—are they worth the investment?
Rise of the robot cleaners: Are robotic vacuums worth the hype—and the spend?
By Namrata Kohli
Delhi based (retired) Indian Navy Officer Niladri Bose and his wife Priyanka, recently went for an overhaul in their lifestyle, from a servant cleaned home to a cleaning robot. Says Niladri Bose- “Over the years, we found ourselves increasingly dissatisfied with the way our home was being cleaned. While our domestic help was sincere, the quality of cleaning was inconsistent and often left much to be desired. The situation became particularly frustrating on days when she was unavailable. With our busy schedules and the desire for a consistently clean-living space, we began thinking: is there a better, more reliable alternative? That’s when the idea of a cleaning robot entered the picture.”
They started researching robotic cleaners. It quickly became clear that most people who had bought such devices either stopped using them or were not satisfied. The reason? While the robot itself could clean, it still needed a lot of manual intervention — emptying the dustbin, filling the water tank, and cleaning the mop after every use. If these chores still had to be done by hand, the whole idea of automation seemed defeated. This led the Bose couple to narrow our search to models that came with a *fully functional docking station* — one that could *replenish water, empty the dustbin, and clean/dry the mop automatically*. Without such a station, the robot would simply become another gadget collecting dust.
Says Priyanka- “We also wanted a rotary mop system for better floor cleaning. In 2023, our options were limited — primarily Narwal and DEEBOT OMNI. After careful consideration, we chose the DEEBOT X1 OMNI, with a cleaning station, priced at Rs 1,00,000. To supplement this, we also bought a handheld vacuum cleaner for pre-cleaning purposes, especially useful for corners and quick touch-ups. Now, after more than two years of using the robot cleaner, we can confidently say we are very satisfied with the shift.”
Today they feel thrilled about this purchase and as Niladri shares- "Unlike human cleaning, the robot is precise and repeats its routine without cutting corners — literally. It even cleans under sofas and beds as long as there's enough clearance. Also it is far more convenient as it takes about 80 minutes to clean the entire house. Meanwhile, we can go out for errands, a movie, or even start the cleaning while away on vacation — we have done it remotely from Italy using the app."
From Gizmo to Household Staple
Sales of robotic vacuums in India have seen a sharp uptick post-pandemic, driven by rising demand for contactless cleaning and shrinking domestic help. Sharing below the quote.
“At Amazon, we’re seeing growing interest in robotic vacuum cleaners as customers look for intelligent, time-saving solutions that seamlessly integrate into their lifestyles,” says KN Srikanth, Director, Home, Kitchen, and Outdoors, Amazon India- “Our portfolio features top brands like Dreame, iLife, Narwal, and Ecovacs, each delivering powerful suction, dual dry and wet mopping, long battery life, and advanced mapping capabilities. Additionally, features like auto-cleaning and multi-floor memory are particularly valued by tech-savvy users, pet owners, new parents, and adult children looking after elderly family members. These smart cleaning companions have evolved from luxury gadgets to essential home tools, reflecting the shift in consumer demand toward high-performance, connected living. We remain focused on delivering a wide selection of customer-centric innovations that enhance convenience, comfort, and overall well-being.”
The robotic vacuum cleaner market in India has evolved rapidly over the last few years, emerging as a high-growth consumer electronics segment. According to Karan Chechi, CEO & Founder, TechSci Research, “As of 2025, the estimated market size of robotic vacuum cleaners in India stands at approximately USD 52.18 million, reflecting a strong upward trend driven by rising urbanization, dual-income households, and the increasing popularity of smart home automation.” The research shows that according to shipment tracking data from Volza, over 1,000 robotic vacuum units were imported into India during FY 2023–24, marking a remarkable 70% year-on-year growth. The surge is indicative of both the growing demand and increasing consumer acceptance of automated home cleaning solutions across metro and Tier-1 cities.”
The Indian market is dominated by a handful of established players offering a wide range of models across price points and use cases. Key brands include Xiaomi, dominating volume sales with smart yet affordable offerings; Ecovacs known for advanced automation and premium functionality, iRobot (Roomba), a global leader in intelligent, high-end cleaning, Eureka Forbes, a trusted Indian brand with localized designs and strong after-sales support and ILIFE, a fast-growing contender in the value and mid-range segments.
“These devices are no longer gimmicks,” says Rishi Raj, an independent Mumbai based tech consultant. “The latest models come with intelligent navigation, real-time mapping, dual functionality (vacuum + mop), and are even Alexa or Google Home compatible. They’re particularly popular among urban nuclear families, pet owners, and the elderly.”
According to TechSci Research, the popular Robotic Vacuum Models in India (2025) include Xiaomi’s Robot Vacuum Cleaner X10, Ecovacs’ Deebot N30 Pro Omni, Deebot N20 Pro, iRobot’s Roomba® j7 Robot Vacuum, Eureka Forbes’ SmartClean Vac N Mop Easy, SmartClean with 5000Pa HyperSuction and ILIFE’s T10s, T20s. The pricing for the Budget segment ranges from Rs 15,000– Rs 25,000, Mid-range Rs 25,000– Rs 40,000 and Premium Rs 40,000+ (notably those with auto-empty docks and advanced mapping)
What Can Customers Expect
Modern robotic vacuums in India now offer a range of capabilities that make them suitable for everyday cleaning needs. What they do well is daily vacuuming of hard floors and low-pile carpets, Hybrid models enable light to moderate mopping, efficient pet hair management (especially in models like Roomba and Xiaomi), smart navigation via LiDAR or camera-based mapping and features like app connectivity, voice control, and scheduled cleaning.
Where they struggle is deep carpet cleaning and large debris (due to suction limitations), handling wet messes and sticky stains, navigating cluttered environments with cables or obstacles, cleaning tight corners and edges completely and requiring periodic maintenance (cleaning brushes, replacing filters, etc.)
India’s robotic vacuum cleaner market is clearly on an upward trajectory, powered by smarter technologies, increased affordability, and consumer readiness for automation. With key brands continuing to innovate and expand, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for this growing category.
The cleaning happens without any dependency on domestic help. Anyone in the household can initiate it. The cleaning station is a game changer. It automatically empties the dustbin, washes and dries the mop, and refills clean water — eliminating the biggest barrier to using the robot regularly.
On the flipside, the room needs to be prepped — movable items like chairs, floor mats, and baskets are best kept aside to optimize cleaning. The robot needs both power and the internet to function effectively. Dusty corners and tight spaces sometimes need manual vacuuming with the handheld unit. You can’t use phenyl or Lizol. Only RO water is recommended to protect the machine. Monthly cleaning of the robot is necessary. Mops, dust bags, and rollers need replacement every 6 months. Tough, dried spills still need manual intervention — just like any regular cleaning method. It works best on smooth floors and uneven surfaces can affect performance.
Switching to a cleaning robot isn’t about eliminating work entirely — it’s about shifting from manual labor to smart preparation and maintenance. Yes, you need to prep the room, and yes, it needs upkeep. But the reliability, convenience, and hygiene it brings are unmatched.
What to Look for When Buying One
Before you splurge, here are key factors to consider:
1. Navigation & Mapping:
Go for models with LiDAR sensors or vSLAM tech for efficient room mapping. Budget models rely on bump-and-go navigation, which may miss spots.
2. Suction Power:
Look for at least 2000 Pa for homes with pets or heavy dust. Some premium models go up to 5000 Pa or more.
3. Mop + Vacuum Combo:
Many Indian buyers prefer dual-function units with water tanks and mopping pads—a big plus for tile or marble floors.
4. App Connectivity:
Mobile apps let you schedule cleans, set no-go zones, and monitor progress remotely. Voice assistant integration is becoming standard.
5. Battery & Dustbin Capacity:
Larger homes need longer runtimes (over 100 minutes) and bigger dustbins (400 ml+). Auto-docking and self-emptying features are now available in high-end models.
While robotic vacuums are no substitute for deep cleaning, they do excel at routine maintenance, especially in clutter-free homes. They're ideal for daily sweeps, light spills, pet hair, and managing dust in metro cities.
If convenience, automation, and daily upkeep are high on your list—and your home is relatively minimalist—a robotic vacuum can be a smart addition. But like any appliance, it’s not magic—it’s maintenance with a motherboard.
Price Chart: Robotic Vacuums in India (2025)
Brand & Model | Key Features | Price Range (₹) |
iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ | Self-emptying bin, smart mapping, mop+vac | 74,900 – 89,900 |
Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni | Auto mop lift, 6000Pa suction, hot water mop cleaning | 94,900 – 1,09,900 |
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro | LDS navigation, 3000Pa, app + voice control | 29,999 – 31,999 |
Eureka Forbes Robo Vac N Mop | UV disinfection, dual tank, scheduling | 19,990 – 21,999 |
ILIFE A11 | LDS mapping, mop + vac, decent suction | 21,999 – 25,999 |
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