Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you need to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners, and that has a large bin that only needs to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be important for people with pets or children. A lot of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent alternative for those who want a an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.
Both robots are adept at cleaning up surface debris from hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features which means it can be stuck on things like power cords or socks, and may have issues in navigating through transitions between surfaces like from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes about three hours to charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate 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 using voice or via the app.
The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that removes a major source of maintenance and reduces recurring costs.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines, move itself around the room and vacuum a specific space. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and easy with the iRobot Home app. When connected, we were able to communicate with the i7+ using 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 filled with cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to match the task being performed. It is able to swiftly change from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
This model has a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also provides an easy access to two attachments and the handheld. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its short running time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. This is still enough to get rid of the majority of a home that's average size, but not quite long enough to get every single area (though the second time around usually will suffice). That's not to say this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets 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 lots of money to invest in a robot. It was able to pick up the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area many times to give an extensive clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most reasons, since it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually, comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. 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 manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It did not do well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This 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 camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have an extra wide cleaning path, as well as dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of 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 if it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. vacuum deals includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock for charging by pressing one button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for instance is darkly colored that can trip up some other robots. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.