The Ultimate Guide To Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you'll need to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs, and that has large bins that will need to be cleaned out every now and then.

There are also models that can mop and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or children. Many of the best performers in our tests have excellent obstacles to avoid.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dust bin once it gets full.

Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they're very adept at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we test the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features, so it may be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including getting rid of any clutter or toys it may come across. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is low it will return to its docking station and automatically empties its dirt into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line, and it comes with the latest technology. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate 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 it can control your robot through the app or via voice.

The i7+ is more efficient and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy the dust bin is self-emptying that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also amazed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning sessions, move itself around the room and sweep an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like a sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households and can fit in well next to the coffee table or a bookshelf that you can spin around like a magic tool.

The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to meet the task at hand. It is able to quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.

This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments and a wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. That's still enough run time to get rid of the majority of a home that's average size, but not quite long enough to cover every area (though the second time around usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our tests, and it frequently goes over the same areas many times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice touch.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models like our top Rated robot Vacuum choices and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and is often unable to supply power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and many more. The app is easy to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.

In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models that we tested, and this could be a problem for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible via the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to monitor your pets or children while you are away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are made for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and return it to its dock for charging at the push of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug, for example has a dark-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.