15 Reasons Not To Ignore Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of manual hoovering. Pick a robot vacuum that has good navigation, can clean stairs and corners, and that has a large bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

You can also find models that can mop and charge on their own which can be essential for those who have children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.

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. That makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.

Both robots are adept at removing surface dirt on floors and carpets and are able to move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we tested the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may be stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends that you tidy the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dust bin and filter clear so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is low it will return to its docking station, automatically emptying its dirt into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning the area where it left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.

2. iRobot i7+ Roomba

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot and comes with all the latest features. It is self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ can better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or via the app.

In our testing, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and even vacuum a specific 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 to manage the i7+'s preferences 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's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the coffee table or shelves where you can wave it around like the magic wand.

The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then lets cleaner air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large dust or crumbs. It has three different suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It is able to quickly switch from handheld to automatic floor cleaner vacuum and vice versa.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments and an wand. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical and not a remarkable run time for a battery-powered cordless vac. It's enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (A second time is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior 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 good option for those who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It was able to pick up the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area several times to give an extensive clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently will run out of battery before making it back to its base.

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

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most reasons, since it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually, comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.

In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86 percent 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 other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access via the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker self-cleaning robot vacuums Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than other models to keep the automatic cleaning robot area free of debris for the longest period of time. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's picking up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view the virtual map, manage 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 also lets you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the auto vacuum by using different colors so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.

The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.