Buzzwords De-Buzzed: 10 Other Ways To Say Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs and has a large bin that only needs to be emptied periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge on their own This feature could be important for people with pets or children. A lot of the top rated Robot vacuum performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.

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+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dustbin of the robot after it has filled up.

Both robots are adept at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors and they are very good at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have test. It can be stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.

iRobot suggests cleaning the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dustbin and filter clear 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 takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant use. It takes three hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line, and it comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it has 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 with 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 direct your robot by voice or via the app.

In our testing the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces types including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions and also to move around the room, and to vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes to meet the task at hand. It swiftly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.

This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also gives an easy access to two attachments and an Wand. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its short run time. The claims of its marketing that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are not true as CR's tests show. This is a common battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's still enough time to vacuum the majority of a home that's average size however, it's not enough to get every single spot (though an additional run-through often can be effective). 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 low-pile floor carpet.

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 spend on an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of debris types and sizes during our tests, and often passes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and 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 many ways, as it has fewer components that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and performs better on floors with bare or low-pile.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name you see on all sorts of home electronics It's no surprise that they're one of the most reputable mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior customization, docking frequency settings, and more. The app is simple to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a deal-breaker for some buyers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. The automatic vacuum cleaners also has an app that allows users to see a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.

The app also makes it simple to steer the robot vacuum cleaner manually should you need to. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.