14 Questions You Shouldn t Be Afraid To Ask About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Choose one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean smart robot stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only every few times.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature that is essential for families with children or pets. A lot of the top performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. The i3+ is a great alternative for those who want a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dustbin of the robot once it gets full.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors, and they are very good at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features, so it may get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and may have issues traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.

iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other clutter it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the bin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it began. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is a top rated robot Vacuum model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ can map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.

In our testing, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and reduces the amount of time spent cleaning.

We were also amazed by the i7+'s integration with best amazon vacuum Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room, and even vacuum an area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. After connecting we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands like "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 cordless vacs that look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households however, it can also fit perfectly next to a coffee table or on a bookshelf where you can wave it around like a magic tool.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces power that is not fading for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly converts from handheld vacuum to automatic floor cleaner vacuum and back.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as a handheld. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. Its claims on the market that it can last up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is an average not an extraordinary run time for a battery-powered cordless vac. This is enough time to sweep the typical home but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass usually works). That's not to say this model isn't a good choice: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is noticeably better on low-pile carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is a basic model that's a good option for those who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up a variety of types of debris and sizes during our tests, and often goes over the same areas many times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models such as our top choices such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often 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 many ways in that it has fewer components that require regular maintenance It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more robust, has a more powerful 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 electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're one of the top robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

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

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.

The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature lets you monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties and helps keep the robot vac's dustbin clear and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums that are made for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the area free of debris for the longest period of time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses whether it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view a virtual map, control functions, and set schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to the dock for charging at the click of a button. The app allows you to alter 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 simple to steer the robot manually if needed. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border without registering the high point. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.