So You ve Bought Robot Vac ... Now What

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only every few times.

There are also models that clean and charge on their own, a feature that may be essential for those who have children or pets. 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+ has self-emptying capabilities. This 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's trash bin when it fills up.

Both robots are proficient at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top rated robot vacuum-best rated robot vacuum robots we have test. It could be stuck on power cords and socks and have trouble moving between different surfaces like hardwood and rug.

iRobot suggests that you clean the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other items it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is full or the battery is low it will return to its docking station, automatically emptying its dirt into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning where it left off. Battery life is about an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to fully charge.

2. iRobot i7+ Roomba

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line and has the most up-to-date features. It has best self cleaning robot vacuum-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.

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

The i7+ is quicker and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room and vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful enough to replace a 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 seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries, which produces power without fading for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets, and then pick up large particles or fine dust. It has three suction modes to suit the task that is being completed. It is able to swiftly change between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.

This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also gives the ability to connect two attachments and the wand. This is a major improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main issue with the V10 is its limited run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often can be effective). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior on low-pile floor robot carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. As a result, 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 is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower cost of recurring costs and has more advanced automation capabilities and can better navigate itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, because it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and is operated by your phone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a larger motor, and performs better on floors with bare or low-pile.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're one of the most popular robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides a range of options for customizing 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 as are other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we tried and could be a problem for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your pets or children while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. They also come with two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app also lets you to personalize the lights on top of the vacuum with different colors, so that you can easily identify the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.

The app makes it possible to steer the robot manually when needed. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, without registering it as an incline. The ability to set up a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.