14 Common Misconceptions About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners, and that has an enormous bin that needs to be cleaned out every now and then.

There are models that mop and charge themselves This is an advantage that is essential for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin when it is full.

Both robots excel at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors, and they're very adept in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we test the i3+ does not have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and may have issues navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to rug.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any clutter or toys it may come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they aren't clogged by dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the 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 charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in the iRobot flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging and best self cleaning vacuum-navigating. the most crucial feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the best robot vacuum cleaner primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or through the app.

In our testing the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.

We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and to move around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. We were able, once connected, to speak commands to the i7+ like "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

In a world of best vacuums that are cordless and look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is a sports car. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households, but it also fits nicely on the coffee table or shelves that you can spin around like an enchanted tool.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task that is being completed. It is able to quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.

This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers an easy access to two attachments and an handheld. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main issue with the V10 is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though an additional run-through often can be effective). However, this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in a robot. It was able to pick up all kinds of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area many times for an extensive clean. Its flat front side helps it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice addition.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models like our Top Rated Robot Vacuum picks and the i3+ EVO and 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 most respects because it has fewer components that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and performs better on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

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

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

In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a deal-breaker for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned 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 optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are made for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also have two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which can tell if it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. It also comes with a smart app 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 its dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.

The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. My living room rug for instance is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program the weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.