15 Gifts For Your Robot Vac Lover In Your Life
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and has large bins that will need to be emptied periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves this is an option important for families with pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those looking for a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots are good in removing dirt and dust particles on hard floors and carpets, and they can easily navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ or other top robot vacuum cleaner-rated robots that we test the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could get stuck on things like socks or power cords, and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is low it will return to its docking station and automatically empties its trash into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning the area where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line, and it comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the most important sources of maintenance for any Best value robot vacuum vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot using voice or through the app.
In our tests the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines, move itself around the room, and even vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After being 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 settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums with cords that look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide power without fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task being performed. It quickly switches from floor 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 provides easy access to two attachments and the clip for a wand. This is a huge 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. Its claims on the market that it can last up to 60 minutes of run time are not true as CR's tests have shown. This is an average not an extraordinary time for a battery-powered cordless vac. This is enough time to vacuum a typical-sized home however, it's not enough time to reach every area. (A second run usually works). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior for carpet floors 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 a lot of money to spend on an expensive robot. It could pick up most types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area multiple times for a thorough clean. Its flat front end helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice addition.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models like our top choices such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or low furniture, and it frequently will run out of battery before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs 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 elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and is able to perform better on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's no surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic vacuum cleaner deals cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested which could be a deterrent 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 cleaning zone. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self vacuum-emptying clean smart robot stations, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically 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 a longer period of time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts the power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and send it back to its dock to charge at the touch of the button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can easily identify the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.
The app also makes it easy to steer the best robot vacuum manually if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.