Why We Love Robot Vac And You Should Too

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.

There are also models that mop and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or kids. A lot of the top performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a good option for those looking for a an entirely automated cleaning, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dust bin when it is full.

Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on hard floors and carpets and are able to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It can get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any toys or clutter it may encounter. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It has self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This removes the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ can map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or via the app.

The i7+ is faster and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.

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

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world full of vacuums with cords that look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households, but it also fits perfectly next to the coffee table or a bookshelf where you can move it around like a magic wand.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets, and then pick up large particles or fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers easy access to 2 attachments and a handheld. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited run time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is enough time to vacuum a typical-sized home, but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

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

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. This means that it may get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and frequently runs out of battery power before making it back to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower cost of recurring costs and is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and is better able to move itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges faster.

The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, as it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually, comes with physical boundary strips, and is operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built, has a more powerful motor, and works better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of automation options.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name 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 a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a wide range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to use and understand, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some buyers.

The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets when you're away. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying, which helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view an interactive map, control functions, and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the vacuum's battery status and then return it to its dock to charge by pressing one button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top rated robot vacuum of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.

The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot should you need to. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border without registering the high point. And the ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.