What s Holding Back The Robot Vac Industry

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

There are models that mop and charge themselves which can be important for people with pets or kids. A majority of the top performers in our tests have great obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those looking for a an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they're excellent in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we evaluated the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include clearing out any clutter or toys it may encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filters clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is empty it goes back to its docking station, automatically emptying its debris into the station's dust bin and continues cleaning where it started. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes three hours to charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it has self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or by voice.

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

We were also awestruck 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, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. We were able, once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+, such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households, but it also fits nicely on a coffee table or on the bookshelf, that you can spin around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.

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

The main drawback of the V10 is its short run time. As CR's tests show, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home, but not quite long enough to get every single area (though a second run-through usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up all types of debris and sizes during our tests, and it often passes over the same areas many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our Top Rated Robot Vacuum picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot best auto vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer components that require regular maintenance, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as providing a greater variety of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.

In our testing our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. However, it did not do particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They have an extra-wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level based on whether it is picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and send it back to its dock to charge at the touch of the button. The app also lets you to personalize the lights on top robot vacuum cleaner of the vacuum by using different colors, so you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.

The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can cause confusion 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 set up weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.