Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum with good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs, and that has large bins that needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that mop and charge themselves This is an advantage essential for families with pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great option for those looking for a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dustbin of the robot after it has filled up.
auto vacuum are adept at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors and they're very adept at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home that assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we tested, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of constant use. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or via the app.
In our tests the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin that removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the cost of maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting, 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 to manage i7+ settings and evaluating performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and feel like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households, but it also fits perfectly next to a coffee table or on shelves where you can move it around like a magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a seven-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 releases fresh air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to suck up large particles and fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum, and vice versa.
This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also gives the ability to connect two attachments and an Wand. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its short run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to vacuum the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second run is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of the most well-known robot vacuums the 694 is a basic model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to invest too much money on a robot. It could pick up most types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area multiple times to give an extensive clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects in that it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and performs better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app gives you plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings, and much more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. However, it didn't do particularly well with larger objects, like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This allows them to clean the area for longer. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see an interactive map, control functions, and schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to its dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app also lets you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.
The application also allows you to steer the robot manually should you need to. My living room rug, for instance has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.