12 Companies Leading The Way In Robot Vacuum Deals
Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Robot Vacuum Deals
If you've always wanted to purchase a robot vacuum, now is the time. CNET's best automatic vacuum cleaner-rated models will be available during Black Friday and Cyber Monday with discounts of up to 57%.
The Roborock Q7 Max offers strong pressure and smart mapping with apps-based no-go zones, and its 180-minute runtime is awe-inspiring. It also self-empties and automatically refills its water tank.
1. iRobot Roomba j7+
The Roomba J7+ is iRobot's smartest robot vacuum to date. Its greatest innovation is a camera-based obstacle detection system that makes use of built-in AI to recognize objects like charging cords, shoes, and the dreaded pet waste that the majority of other robots cannot avoid (and often go through). It's also the first robot vacuum cleaner cheap to automatically send you a photo of the object it comes across to let you know to avoid it in the future.
The Combo J7+ is the most effective mop-bot we've ever tested, removing spills and dirt with ease while leaving no trace it was there. The iRobot app makes it easy to control. It can schedule cleanings, and also create Keep Out Zones to ensure it doesn't sweep in areas you don't wish to. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control it from start to stop using your voice.
Its design is also a step above the competition, with a sleek top piece that looks more like a toy robotic than a loud, obnoxious one. Clean Base Automatic Dirt disposal System also self-empties, which can cut down on cleaning time.
In our tests, the j7+ was quick to pick up and remove dust, dirt and pet hair. Its counter-rotating rubber brush rolls kept the debris in one location rather than sending it scattering across the floor vacuum robot. It was able to collect sand, small gravel and even a tiny bit of grit. Most robots can't accomplish this feat. It did all this without getting tangled in our pet's hair.
The j7+, although not as smart as the $1,217 Roomba S9+ Self-Emptying Vacuum from iRobot and cannot clean the stairs, is a good option for those who want both mopping and vacuum. It's not too expensive and the iRobot App makes it simple to use.
The iRobot Home App is easy to use, but we found it less reliable than other robotic cleaner apps. It can take some time to download updates, and it's sometimes difficult to determine if they are working until you see them in action.
2. Roborock Q5+
When you're looking for a robot vacuum that does more than just clean floors, the best budget robot vacuum option is probably hybrid. These bots are equipped with a water tank so they can mop and vacuum at the same time. They also have a number of additional features, including smart mapping, small obstacle avoidance, and even the capability to wash and dry mopping pads. The negative is that they can be expensive at retail, but during Black Friday and Cyber Monday they often drop in price.
Roborock makes some of our top robot vacuums and the Q5+ is no exception. This is the least expensive model of their auto-empty line. Although it doesn't include some of the expensive features (like no-go areas and multi-story memories), it's still an excellent choice when you're willing to make a few compromises to save a few dollars.
The Q5+ is noticeable soft around obstacles like tables and walls, which makes it a great option for homes with a lot of furniture. It's also extremely thorough in getting rid of dust bunnies which is an area where many cheaper robot vacuums often fail. The Q5+'s navigation is top-quality, with a few misses along walls and in corners.
Like other Roborock devices like the Q5+, the Q5+ can be controlled using the buttons on the device or through the Roborock app. Through the app, you can begin and stop cleanings and schedules, as well as create virtual barriers and no-go zones and modify your home map, or re-label rooms.
If you opt for the Q5+ model, it comes with a brand new auto-empty dock that's specifically designed to make the machine easy to maintain. It requires a screwdriver for install, but once it's in place the process of emptying the bin is relatively easy. It comes with a huge LCD screen which is helpful when setting up schedules and changing settings. This isn't an essential feature for the majority of people but it can help you keep the track of the intervals between maintenance for your robot easily.
3. Narwal Freo X Ultra
The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is a sophisticated well-rounded vacuum and mop. It's capable of vacuuming and mopping. Its design and features are among the top available however, it's also expensive.
It's a tiny base station that looks stunning and is able to be concealed when not in use. The station's main selling point is the fact that it automates a variety of tasks, functions and chores that other robots have to leave to you. It stores clean and dirty water, it electrolyzes and heats the water (which most other robovacs require you to do), empties the dustbin after vacuuming, and ensures that your robot vac charged and clean.
Its vacuuming is also impressive. It's the only robot vacuum I've tested that does an excellent job of removing dirt from floors that aren't. It's also not as loud as the costly Roomba 900 series or iRobot 980.
The Freo X Ultra is not without faults, particularly in the area of navigation. Its LiDAR sensors and laser sensors aren't as reliable as other robovacs. This means it can get stuck or get confused in certain corners or rooms of the house. It also can't climb stairs as well as other models and doesn't come with a dock that can create a cleaning zone for plush carpets.
While it doesn't offer as much in the way of cleaning configuration options in its app, or as many in-app shortcuts as other robovacs, the Freo X Ultra is still an excellent choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive mop and vacuum cleaner that's worth the premium price cost.
If you're looking to cut costs or aren't concerned about the limitations of the robot, there are many other options available. Many of the eufy models cost significantly less. The eufy Qrevo Curv, for instance is less expensive and offers the same experience in the app, but with additional features such as the ability to climb stairs, a full-function dock, and better overall vacuuming performance on bare floors as well as high and low-pile carpets.
4. eufy RoboVac G30
Eufy, an Anker company has a proven track record of creating Robot vacuum Hoover vacuums that strike the perfect balance between performance, features and price. The G30 Hybrid is no different and offers a powerful cleaning of hard floors as well as carpets and mopping function too at a reasonable price. It's simple to set up, just connect one of the side brushes and then turn it on. Then plug in your charging dock. The app takes you through the steps needed to connect it to your Wi-Fi and then the G30 is ready to go. It is recommended to keep the dock near an electrical outlet and plenty of room to allow it to move around however.
The G30 is tiny, 2.85 inches tall to be exact It will fit under many sofas and other furniture with low clearance. The design is less flashy than some of the rival models, sporting sleek black finishes and three buttons that are physical: Auto Cleaning start/pause, Recharge and Spot Cleaning (which cleans the area in an arc for two minutes). It is also possible to connect the G30 to Amazon Alexa or Google Home to do unscheduled cleaning with voice commands.
The most important aspect that distinguishes the G30 apart from most competitors is the method it cleans. It uses an integrated map to make an image of the unmovable objects in its path. It can remember the things it has cleaned and what it is unable to access. It then returns to the base to recharge and continues cleaning the area it left.
The eufy G30 isn't without its faults, though. The iRobot Roomba is built better and has lower cost of operation. It charges faster, has a similar battery life, and performs better on bare flooring or carpet with a low pile. It also has a larger dust bin that doesn't need to be emptied as frequently and comes with a set of boundaries that ensure it isn't in certain areas. The G30 is cheaper and easier to maintain. Its smaller dust container doesn't need emptying as often and it struggles less with bulky material such as cereal.
