14 Common Misconceptions Concerning Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and also has an enormous bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature that is essential for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self vacuum-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good option for those who want an entirely automated vacuum, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot vacuum cleaner comparison's trash bin when it fills up.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept at moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ doesn't feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top rated robot vacuum-rated robots that we tested. It can get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like rug and hardwood.

iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes clearing out any toys or clutter it may come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically empties the dirt into the station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ is able to make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or through the app.

The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Best Amazon Vacuum Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After being connected, to voice 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

In a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households, but it also fits nicely on a coffee table or on shelves that you can spin around like an enchanted wand.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.

The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as the Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. Its claims on the market that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical not an extraordinary run time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of an average-sized house however, it's not enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often will suffice). However, this model doesn't have its benefits It's lighter and more mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is noticeably better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It's capable of sucking up most types of debris and sizes during our testing, and it often goes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice addition.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top picks such as the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It is prone to getting 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 in that it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges faster.

The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most reasons, since it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of automation options.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that you see on all sorts of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the top robotic vacuum cleaners vacuum and mop makers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a wide range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86 percent of it. However, it wasn't particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other models we've tested, which might be a problem for certain shoppers.

The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you to check in on your children or pets while you're away. The filter and dustbin can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and maximizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have an extra-wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to its dock for charging at the click of a button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors so you can clearly see what areas it's focusing on or where it's got stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to 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 program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.