So You ve Purchased Robot Vac ... Now What

Top Rated Robot Vacuum Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency at which you have to manually vacuum. Choose one that has good navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

You can also find models that mop and charge themselves This feature could be essential for those who have pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.

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+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a good option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.

Both robots are adept at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may get stuck on things like socks or power cords, and may have issues in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes clearing out any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes three hours to fully charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest features. It has self-charging and self vacuum-navigating. However, the most significant feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your best inexpensive robot vacuum through the app or by voice.

The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s integration 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. When connected to these services, we were able 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 settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

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

The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels cleaner air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to match the task being performed. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor vacuum and back again.

The model also comes with docks that charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments and the wand clip. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are not true as CR's tests have shown. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to clean every area (though an additional run-through often will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to spend on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of kinds of debris in our testing, and it often passes over the same areas many times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. This means that it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694, as it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower recurring cost and has more advanced automation abilities and is able to better maneuver its own. It also has a larger dustbin and charges quicker.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and is able to perform better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of features for automation.

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 manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding taller objects like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access through the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to monitor your pets or children while you are away. The filter and the dust bin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are made for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path, as well as a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also come with two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and send it back to its dock to charge by pressing the button. The app also lets you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum by using different colors, so that you can easily tell the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. And the ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.