Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have good 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. This makes the i3+ an excellent option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it fills up.
Both robots are good 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 maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we test. It may be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it may encounter. You should also keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and takes around three hours to recharge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It is self-charging and self-navigating. But the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, which 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 through the app.
In our tests the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our second-placed model which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.
We were also awestruck by the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions as well as move around the room, and to vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+, 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
This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that produces power that is not fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a major improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its limited run time. The claims of its marketing that it can last up to 60 minutes of running time are not true as CR's tests show. This is an average not an extraordinary time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. This is enough time to clean a typical-sized home but not enough to reach every area. (A second pass is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is significantly better on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's a great choice for people who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area multiple times for a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models like our top selections and 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 base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, because it has a longer battery life, can change its suction power mode manually and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built, has a more powerful motor, and works better on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a wider array of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
robotic vacuum cleaner best 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 simple to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we've tested, which might be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible through the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the bin clean and optimizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast 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, as well as dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for longer. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. You can also monitor the vacuum's battery status and return it to its dock for charging by pressing the button. The app allows you to alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually when needed. My living room rug, for example has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the cliff. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.