11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency you need to manually automatic vacuum cleaner. Find one that has good navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.

There are models that mop and charge themselves this is an option essential for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have excellent ability to overcome obstacles.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a good option for those looking for an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.

Both robots are good at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets and are able to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart robot vacuums map of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top 10 robot vacuum cleaner-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may get stuck on things like socks or power cords, and it can have difficulty in navigating through transitions between surfaces like from hardwood to carpet.

iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any toys or clutter it may come across. Also, keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid getting blocked. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and comes with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most important feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important 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 voice.

In our testing the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines and move around the room, and even vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world of vacuums with cords that look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households however, it can also fit nicely on the coffee table or a bookshelf where you can move it around like the magic tool.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It swiftly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum, and then back to floor.

This model also has docks that charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments as well as a Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's biggest drawback is its short run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a home that's average size, but not quite long enough to cover every area (though an additional run-through often will suffice). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is significantly better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of the most well-known bagless robot Vacuum vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up all kinds of debris in our tests, and it frequently goes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, including 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 home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects because it has fewer components that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, because it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and has physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and is able to perform better on floors that are bare and carpets with a low pile, as well as providing a greater variety of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that is seen on a variety of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most popular mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to use and understand, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86 percent of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access via the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. They come with a wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean along 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 its power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum by using different colors, so that you can easily identify the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.

The app allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for instance has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.