Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Find one that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that has to be emptied only periodically.
There are good robot vacuum that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great option for those who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots are proficient at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart map of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top rated robots we tested, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities which means it can be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it can have difficulty in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the bin and filter clear so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is depleted, it returns to its docking station and automatically empties its debris into the station's dust bin and then resumes cleaning the area where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can direct your robot using the app or by voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. their website picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.
We were also impressed by the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and easy with the iRobot Home app. Once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+ such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households however, it can also fit nicely on a coffee table or on a bookshelf where you can move it around like a magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then lets cleaner air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large particles or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to suit the task. It quickly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its short run time. As CR's tests have shown, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to clean most of a typical-sized home but not long enough to cover every area (though the second time around usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's a great option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It's capable of sucking up most kinds of debris in our tests, and often passes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a better battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're one of the most popular mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some buyers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature lets you check in on your children or pets when you're away. The filter and the dust bin are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. They have an extra wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This allows them to clean the area for longer. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and create schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app lets you customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. My living room rug for example is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.