Is Tech Making Robot Vac Better Or Worse

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners, and has a large dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.

There are also models that clean and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with best self cleaning vacuum-emptying features. This makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people 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 adept at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent at getting 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+ isn't able to have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have tested. It could get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, including getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filter clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes around three hours to recharge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot using voice or through the app.

In our testing the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface kinds, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin that eliminates the main sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also amazed by the i7+'s integration with Best amazon vacuum 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 the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. When connected, we were able to give the i7+ voice commands, such as "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

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or the bookshelf, where you can move it around like an enchanted wand.

The V10 is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It quickly converts from handheld to automatic floor cleaning machine vacuum and back.

This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and the Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's biggest drawback is its sluggish run time. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of an average-sized house however, it's not 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 maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's a great choice for people who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps to get into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice touch.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower cost of recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and can better move its own. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization, docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is simple to use and understand, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested which could be a deterrent for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. 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 keep the best robot vacuum deals's bin clear and improves suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. 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 a longer period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map and control functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and send it back to its dock to charge by pressing the button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.

The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to trip up some of the other robots I've tried. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. Also, the ability to create the weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.