Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners and has an enormous bin that will need to be emptied periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves This is an advantage important for families with pets or children. Many of the top performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors, and they can easily maneuver 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+ or other top-rated robots that we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities which means it can get stuck on things such as power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests cleaning the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in the iRobot flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.
The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.
We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to begin or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+ such as "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 all-sports car in a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large particles and fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.
The model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also offers easy access to 2 attachments as well as an Wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its limited run time. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's still enough time to clean most of a typical-sized home but not long enough to get every single area (though a second run-through usually does the trick). However, this model doesn't have its benefits It's lighter and more maneuverable than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on low-pile carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in an expensive robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes during our testing and often went over the same area many times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice feature.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models like our top picks and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. This means that it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to use and understand as are other Samsung devices.
In our testing our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86% of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than the other models we've tested which could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes 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. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge at the touch of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum with different colors so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.
The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. However, smart vacuum cleaner kept moving across the border, without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.