15 Reasons Not To Ignore Robot Vac
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot auto vacuum cleaner can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
You can also find models that clean and charge on their own This feature could be beneficial for those with pets or children. A lot of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of manually emptying their robot's dustbin as it gets full.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ doesn't have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It can get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like carpet and hardwood.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or other items it might come across. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clear so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It is self-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for regular maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your budget robot vacuum through the app or via voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, is its self cleaning vacuum-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers the amount of time spent cleaning.
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 begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and to vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, 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
In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like a sports car. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households, but it also fits perfectly next to a coffee table or on the bookshelf, where you can wave it around like an enchanted wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system is able to trap allergens and then releases fresh air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to suck up large particles and fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It is able to quickly change from handheld to floor vacuum, and vice versa.
This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments and the handheld. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is a common battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's enough time to clean the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on a robot. It could pick up all kinds of debris and sizes in our tests and would often go over the same area several times for a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice feature.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways in that it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and works better on floors that are bare and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of automation features.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name is found on all kinds of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the most popular robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as 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 in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well at avoiding higher-up objects like cords or socks, which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some buyers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to clean the area for longer. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses whether it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock to charge at the push of the button. The app also lets you to personalize the lights on top rated robot vacuum of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's stuck.
The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. For example, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border without registering the cliff. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.