10 Things Everybody Hates About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to decrease the frequency of manual hoovering. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.

There are also models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their best robot vacuum cleaner's dustbin as it gets full.

Both robots are proficient in removing dirt and dust particles on carpets and hard floors and can maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have test. It can be stuck on power cords and socks and have trouble moving between different surfaces, like carpet and hardwood.

iRobot suggests that you clean the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clean so that they aren't clogged by dirt. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is depleted, it returns to its docking station and automatically empties its trash into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning where it began. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and takes around three hours to fully recharge.

2. iRobot i7+ Roomba

The iRobot i7+ is a Top Rated Robot Vacuum model from iRobot’s flagship line and comes with the latest technology. It's self-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot through the app or via voice.

In our tests the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin, which eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also amazed 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 sessions and to move around the room and vacuum a specific space. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. When connected to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands 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

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large crumbs and fine dust. It has three suction modes to match the task at hand. It quickly converts from automatic floor cleaners vac to handheld vacuum, and then back to floor.

The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments and a wand clip. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical, not an exceptional, time to run a battery-powered cordless vac. This is enough time to sweep the typical home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second run generally works). 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"

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have lots of money to spend on the latest model of robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area many times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run out of power before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects, as it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges quicker.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides a range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and many more. The app is simple to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.

In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86% of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for some buyers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets while you are away. The filter and the dust bin can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also include two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. You can also monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging by pressing a button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the best inexpensive robot vacuum manually in the event of need. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tested. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. And the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.