Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. A majority of the top performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.
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+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great alternative for those who want a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dust bin when it is full.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off hard floors and carpets, and they are very good in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and may have issues traversing transitions across surfaces like from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests cleaning the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other items it might come across. You should also keep the dustbin and filters clean to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is empty, it returns to its docking station, automatically empties its trash into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning the area where it began. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes about three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and -- the most important feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or via voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying that removes a major source of maintenance and reduces the amount of time spent cleaning.
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 vac to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. When connected to these services, we were able give the i7+ voice commands like "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
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car that is amidst a sea of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households, but it also fits nicely on the coffee table or shelves where you can move it around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It is able to quickly change from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum, and vice versa.
This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a common battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. This is enough time to clean the average-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass is usually sufficient). This doesn't mean that this model isn't a good choice: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on low-pile carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris and sizes in our tests and would often go over the same area several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.
Its intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the ability to map that comes with more advanced models like our top selections and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and low furniture, and it often is power-depleted before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi best robot vacuum vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects because it has fewer components that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most reasons, since it has a better battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode manually, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that is found on all kinds of home electronics So it's no surprise that they're also one of the top mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications docking frequency settings, and many more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we tested which could be a problem for some buyers.
The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps keep the bin clean and optimizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have a wider cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area clean for the longest time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and send it back to its dock for charging at the push of one button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on the Top Rated Robot Vacuum of the vacuum by using different colors so you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's gotten stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually when needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the high point. And the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.