Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and that has an enormous bin that needs to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that clean and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. Many of the best performers in our tests have excellent ability to overcome obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets, and they can easily navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top rated robots we evaluated the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to carpet.
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 clutter it might encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for about an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot, and it comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. But Click To See More is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.
We were also awestruck 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 routines, move itself around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to speak commands to the i7+ for example "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 that is amidst a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households however, it can also fit in well next to a coffee table or on shelves that you can spin around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back 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 settings to meet the task being performed. It quickly converts from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.
This model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers easy access to 2 attachments as well as an Wand. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. As CR's tests show, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical not an extraordinary run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to clean a typical-sized home but not enough to reach every spot. (A second time is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of the most well-known robot vacuums The 694 is an affordable model that's a great choice for people who don't wish to spend too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up most kinds of debris in our tests, and it often goes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice addition.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. This means that it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 because it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and can better maneuver 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 reasons, since it has a better battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the top robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app offers a wide range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and much more. It's simple to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our testing of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for certain shoppers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and the dustbin can be washed for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy 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
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed 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 the competition to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. 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 view the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum with different colors so you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's gotten stuck.
The app allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.