Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors and they are very good at moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we tested the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities and therefore it could get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it may have trouble traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including getting rid of any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filters clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it started. robot cleaner i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the most recent 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 primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to 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 via voice.
The i7+ is quicker and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting, we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a world of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large dust and crumbs. It has three different suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It quickly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.
This model has a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also offers an easy access to two attachments as well as a Wand. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a standard battery-powered vacuum's run time. robot floor cleaner 's still enough run time to clean most of a home that's average size 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 light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is significantly better on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's a great option for those who don't wish to spend too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all kinds of debris in our tests, and often passes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects, as it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most reasons, since it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own and has physical boundary strips, and is operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and works better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of automation features.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app provides a range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86 percent of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your pets or children while you are away. The filter and the dust bin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path as well as a large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also have two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's collecting dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view an interactive map, control functions, and set schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and then return it to its dock to charge at the push of a button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum by using different colors, so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's stuck.
The application also allows you to steer the robot manually if needed. For example, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends 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. Also, the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.