15 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors clean enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only once in a while.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. The Top rated robot Vacuum 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 the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great option for those who want a fully automated cleaning, hands-off cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin after it has filled up.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on 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 that help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ doesn't have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested. It could get stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes putting away any toys or clutter it might encounter. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use. It takes about three hours to fully recharge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most important feature of all -- it comes with a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your affordable robot vacuum using voice or via the app.

In our testing the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. 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 with cords that look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like a sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households, but it also fits perfectly next to the coffee table or shelves where you can wave it around like the magic tool.

The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces power without fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to suit the task at hand. It is able to swiftly switch from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.

This model has a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments and an Wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its short run time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. This is enough time to vacuum a typical-sized home however, it's not enough time to get into every corner. (A second time is usually sufficient). That's not to say this model doesn't have its advantages It's lighter and more mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly superior on carpets with a low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up most types of debris and sizes during our tests, and frequently goes over the same areas many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.

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

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer components that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as providing a greater variety of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is easy to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.

In our testing our tests, 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 objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a deal breaker for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access through the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are made for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have a wider cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area clean for the longest time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also comes with an app that allows you to view an interactive map, control functions, and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging by pressing the button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app makes it possible to steer the robot cleaning machine manually in the event of need. My living room rug for instance has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border without ever registering the edge. And the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.