Why We Love Robot Vac And You Should Too

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners and has an enormous bin that only needs to be emptied periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves which can be essential for those who have pets or children. A lot of the top performers in our tests also have good 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+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good option for those looking for an entirely automated cleaning, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ doesn't have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top rated Robot vacuum-rated robots we have tested. It may get stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as carpet and hardwood.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include getting rid of any toys or clutter it may encounter. You should also keep the dustbin and filters clear to avoid getting blocked. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is depleted, it returns to its docking station and automatically empties its trash into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning the area where it began. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot and has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot through the app or voice.

The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that removes a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.

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

In a world full of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is a sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or a bookshelf where you can move it around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task at hand. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor robot vacuum and back.

The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a huge improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is still enough to clean most of an average-sized house but not long 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 noticeably superior on low-pile automatic floor cleaner carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of debris types and sizes during our testing, and it often passes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models like our top choices such as the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently is power-depleted before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower recurring cost and has more advanced automation capabilities and is better able to maneuver 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 with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a brand is seen on a variety of home electronics So it's no surprise that they're also one of the top robotic 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 options to customize your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.

In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding taller objects like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested and this could be a problem for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access via the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you check in on pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast 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, 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 up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also has a smart app that lets you view the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and return it to its dock for charging at the push of a button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app allows you to steer the robot manually, if necessary. My living room rug, for instance is darkly colored that could cause trouble for other robots. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.