Are You Getting The Most Of Your Robot Vac?
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you need to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and also has an enormous bin that only needs to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that clean and charge on their own which can be essential for those who have pets or kids. Many of the best performers in our tests have excellent ability to overcome obstacles.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it fills up.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they're very adept in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home that help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces like from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is full or the battery is depleted it goes back to its docking station and automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning the area where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant use. It takes about three hours to charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can direct your robot using the app or voice.
In our testing the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting we were able to give the i7+ voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery, which produces power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and pick up large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task being performed. It swiftly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.
The model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also gives the ability to connect two attachments as well as a handheld. This is a major improvement over previous Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to get every single spot (though a second run-through usually will suffice). However, this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is noticeably superior on carpets with a low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice addition.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It may get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and is often unable to supply power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted 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 navigate its own. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, as it has a better battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and works better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we've tested which could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and dustbin can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. 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
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. www.robotvacuummops.com have a wider cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. You can also monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock to charge at the push of a button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually when needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to trip up some of the other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border, without notifying the edge. And the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.