20 Tools That Will Make You More Effective At 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 a robot vacuum with good navigation, can clean stairs and corners, and that has large bins that needs to be emptied periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with children or pets. A lot of the top robot vacuum cleaner performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. The i3+ is a good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin once it gets full.

Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ and other Top Rated Robot Vacuum-rated robots we test the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, and include getting rid of any toys or clutter it may come across. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes around three hours to fully recharge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and -- the most important feature of all -- it has an best auto vacuum-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your cheap robot vacuum with voice or through the app.

The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from any surface 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 awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room and sweep an area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. Once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+, for example "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a 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 energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to suck up large crumbs and fine dust. It has three suction modes to suit the task at hand. It quickly converts from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also provides an easy access to two attachments and a handheld. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical, not an exceptional, time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. It's enough time to clean the average-sized home however, it's not enough time to reach every spot. (A second time usually works). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on carpets 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 invest in the latest model of robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris and sizes during our tests and would often go over the same area several times for an extensive clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models like our top picks such as the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.

The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most reasons, since it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a larger motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings, and much more. It's simple to comprehend and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.

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

The app allows you to access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets while you are away. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, 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 lets them keep the area clean for longer. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and send it back to its dock for charging at the push of the button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum so that you can tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the high point. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.