10 Things Everybody Hates About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs and has an enormous bin that needs to be emptied periodically.

You can also find models that mop and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or children. A lot of the top robot vacuum performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good 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 when it is full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors and they're excellent at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. The i3+ doesn't have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested. It could be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.

iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. It's also recommended to keep the dust bin and filter clean so they aren't clogged by dirt. 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 dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant use. It takes 3 hours to charge.

2. iRobot i7+ Roomba

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It is self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ can better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can direct your best robot vacuum under 200 using the app or by voice.

In our testing, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin that removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and vacuum a particular area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world full of vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like 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 table for a coffee or a bookshelf that you can spin around like a magic tool.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It is able to quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum robot vacuum, and vice versa.

The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in about 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it can last up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. This is enough time to vacuum the typical home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second run usually works). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of the most well-known robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's an excellent option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of types of debris and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas multiple times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models such as our top choices such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its home base.

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

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our testing our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning 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 the other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you check in on pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps to keep the bin clean and improves suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuums that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path and dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them keep the area clean for longer. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which detects whether it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and create schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock for charging by pressing one button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The app allows you to manually steer the robot, if necessary. My living room rug for instance is darkly colored that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border, without notifying the edge. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.