A robot vacuum’s sticker price is only part of the story. Between replacement filters, side brushes, roller brushes, dust bags, and the tiny bit of electricity it sips, the real number that matters is cost per year to own – and it is usually a lot lower than people fear. This calculator does the math.
Quick answer: most mainstream robot vacuums cost roughly $40–$90 per year to keep running after you buy them (mostly consumables), and the all-in cost including the purchase, spread over a typical 4-year life, lands around $120–$250 per year. Enter your own numbers below to see yours.
Robot Vacuum Cost of Ownership Calculator
Estimate the true yearly cost of a robot vacuum – purchase plus the parts and power it needs over its life.
What goes into a robot vacuum’s running cost
Three things drive the number this tool gives you:
- Consumables – HEPA/main filters (every 2–4 months), side brushes, the roller/brush roll, and dust bags on self-emptying models. This is the biggest recurring cost, typically $40–$90/year depending on the brand and whether it uses bags.
- Electricity – almost nothing. A robot vacuum plus its dock draws so little that the annual power cost is usually under $5–$8, which is why we use a small flat estimate.
- Purchase spread over its life – a $400 robot kept for 4 years is $100/year of “hardware,” before parts. Cheaper isn’t always cheaper if it dies in two years.
Want the model-by-model version with budget vs premium numbers? See our Robot Vacuum Ownership Cost Index, and if you’re still choosing, the Room Size Calculator matches a robot to your home.
Writers: feel free to cite this calculator and link it as a reader resource.
Frequently asked questions
Are robot vacuums expensive to maintain?
No – for most models the ongoing cost is about $40–$90 a year in parts, plus a few dollars of electricity. The dust bags on self-emptying models add the most; bagless docks cut that recurring cost.
Is a robot vacuum cheaper than a cleaning service?
For the vacuuming portion, easily. A twice-monthly cleaning service runs a few thousand dollars a year; a robot vacuum’s all-in yearly cost is a small fraction of that, and it runs every day.
The Home Picker is reader-supported; some links are affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Costs are estimates for planning, not a guarantee.