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

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves this is an option essential for families with pets or children. Many of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great option for those looking for a an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin when it is full.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It can be stuck on power cords or socks, and may have trouble navigating between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.

iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it might encounter. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking 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. It takes about three hours to recharge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot, and it is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. But the most significant feature is its auto-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to 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 integrates 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 faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin, which removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and to move around the room and vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. Once connected we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world filled with vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like an automobile. It has 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 shelves where you can wave it around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free 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 pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It can quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.

This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments and a Wand. This is a major improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its sluggish run time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's still enough time to clean most of a home that's average size however, it's not enough to clean every area (though the second time around usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in an expensive robot floor cleaner. It was able to remove most types of debris and sizes in our tests and would often go over the same area multiple times to ensure an extensive clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice feature.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or furniture and often runs 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 maintenance, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.

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 is also more robust, has a larger motor, and can perform better on floors with bare or low-pile.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're also one of the most popular mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to learn and use, just like 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). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access through the app. You can also create a live stream from the bagless robot vacuum's cleaning robots for home station. This feature lets you monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and create schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging at the touch of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app allows you to manually steer the robot when needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.