Robot vacuums are great for a few things: keeping up maintenance cleanings in your home or apartment so there's less work to do later, and entertaining people (or pets) who love robots.
According to our research and tests, the best robot vacuum for most people is the iRobot Roomba 650. It's easy to use, works on bare floors and carpets alike, and leaves out the unnecessary features that drive up the price on most bots. And when something goes wrong (an inevitability over time) a fully modular and easy-to-service design means you can repair rather than replace.
By scheduling the Roomba to run a few times per week, you won't have to think very often about keeping your floors tidy. It probably won't completely replace a regular vacuum, but it will prolong the time you can go between manual cleanings with very little effort and oversight on your (or your giftee's) part.