If You ve Just Purchased Robot Vac ... Now What

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A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency at which you'll need to manually vacuum. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners, and has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only every few times.

You can also find models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have excellent obstacle avoidance.

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. The i3+ is a good option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin when it is full.

Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors and they're very adept in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we test the i3+ does not have a feature for avoiding obstacles which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is depleted, it returns to its docking station and automatically emptying its debris into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot through the app or voice.

In our tests, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its best self cleaning vacuum-emptying dustbin, which eliminates a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to start or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. Once 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

In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide power without fading for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large particles and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It quickly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.

This model also has docks that charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.

The V10's biggest drawback is its short run time. Its marketing claims that it can last up to 60 minutes of running time are not true as CR's tests show. This is an average, not an exceptional, time to run an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to get every single area (though an additional run-through often does the trick). 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 on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our tests, and frequently goes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front end helps it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice feature.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. This means that it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often runs out of battery power before making it back to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer components that require regular maintenance It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and is able to perform better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet, while offering a wider range of automation options.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're also one of the most popular robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

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

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we've tested, which might be a deal-breaker for some buyers.

The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They have an extra-wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. They also have two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's cleaning up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that allows users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and set schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to its dock for charging with the click of a button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app makes it possible to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can make it difficult for other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. Also, the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.