Top Rated Robot VacuumsA robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature that is essential for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is a good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.
Both robots are proficient in removing dirt and dust particles on carpets and hard floors and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we test the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities and therefore it could get stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues traversing transitions across surfaces like hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might come across. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it began. 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 Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line and is equipped with the most recent features. It is self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or via the app.
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 advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which eliminates the main sources 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 and to move around the room and vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting we were able to 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 monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes to match the task being performed. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.
This model has a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments and a wand. This is a major improvement over older Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its short running time. Its claims on the market that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are not true as CR's tests show. This is an average not an extraordinary run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to get rid of the majority of a typical-sized home, but not quite long enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It could pick up all kinds of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area many times for an extensive clean. Its flat front side helps it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice touch.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it's not equipped with the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models like our top choices, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It may get stuck on phone cords or furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects because it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistance. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are also among the top producers of robot Vacuum Mops vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app gives you plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification docking frequency settings and much more. It's easy to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and filter are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's collecting surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app allows you to customize the lights on top of the vacuum with different colors so you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually, if necessary. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tried. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to create the weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.
