14 Common Misconceptions About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency at which you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.

There are models that clean and charge on their own This feature could be beneficial for those with pets or kids. 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+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.

Both robots are proficient at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and may have issues in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to carpet.

iRobot recommends that you tidy up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it might come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filters free of dirt to prevent them from 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 emptys the dirt into the docking station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it began. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes 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 routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can direct your robot using the app or by voice.

The i7+ is quicker and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin that removes a major source of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the best robot hoover on how to start or stop house cleaning robot sessions, as well as to move around the room cleaning robot, and vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. After being connected, to voice commands to the i7+, for example "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most 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 which produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to collect large particles and fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It is able to quickly change from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.

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

The V10's biggest drawback is its short run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical, not an exceptional, time for a battery-powered cordless vac. It's enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (A second time usually works). This doesn't mean that this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is superior on carpets with a low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up most types of debris and sizes during our testing, and it often passes over the same areas many times to give a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows it reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice feature.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently is power-depleted before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects because 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 more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistance. It is also more durable and has a stronger motor, and works better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.

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

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets when you're away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path and dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean along 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. The vacuum also comes with an app that allows you to view a virtual map, control functions, and set schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app also allows you to customize 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 app makes it possible to manually steer the robot, if necessary. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the high point. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.