So You ve Bought Robot Vac ... Now What
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency with which you'll need to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and has a large bin that only needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves This is an advantage important for families with pets or children. Many of the best performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO, are identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on floors and carpets and are able to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ or other top rated robots we tested the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may get stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include putting away any clutter or toys it may encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot and comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial feature of all -- it has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot through the app or voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin, which eliminates a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed 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 session and to move around the room, and even vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that feel like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like a sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
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 traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back again.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as a clip for a wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain 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 a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to clean the typical home, but not enough to get into every corner. (A second run generally works). However, this model doesn't have its advantages It's lighter and more mobile than the older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have lots of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It was able to remove all kinds of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach corners and the edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and low furniture, and it frequently is power-depleted before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and performs better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are also among the Top rated Robot vacuum producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app provides plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification, docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.
The app allows you to access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature lets you to monitor your children or pets when you're away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic floor cleaning machine clean station which helps keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuum cleaner reviews 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 dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. They also have two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level based on whether it is cleaning up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets users to see an interactive map, control functions, and set 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 so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot floor cleaner in the event of need. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. And the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.