Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Choose one that has good navigation, can clean stairs and corners, and has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only every few times.
There are models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO, are identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is a great option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin after it has filled up.
Both robots are adept in removing dirt and dust particles on floors and carpets, and they can easily maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It can be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other items it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. cleaning robots is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to charge.
2. Roomba from iRobot
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ can better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot via the app or via voice.
In our testing the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room and vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. When connected we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households however, it can also fit in well next to the table for a coffee or shelves that you can spin around like the magic device.
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 traps allergens, then releases fresh air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It can quickly change from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
The model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments as well as an handheld. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons models, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its short running time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is an average and not a remarkable run time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. This is still enough to clean most of a typical-sized home, but not quite long enough to get every single spot (though the second time around usually can be effective). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums the 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't wish to spend too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all types of debris and sizes during our tests, and often goes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice addition.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it lacks the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects in that it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, because it has a longer battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a more powerful motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other models we tried and could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be washed for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. They also come with two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and then return it to its dock to charge at the touch of a button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to cause confusion for other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program the weekly cleaning schedule is a fantastic time-saving feature.