Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you need to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs, and that has a large bin that only needs to be emptied periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. A lot of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities and therefore it could get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to rug.
iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clean so they do not become blocked by dirt. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is low it goes back to its docking station, automatically emptying its debris into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning the area where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to fully charge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot through the app or voice.
In our testing the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions and also to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. 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 preferences and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is a sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to meet the task being performed. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.
This model has a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments as well as a Wand. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. As CR's tests show, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical and not a remarkable run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is still enough to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to get every single spot (though the second time around usually can be effective). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is a basic model that's a good choice for people who don't want to spend too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up a variety of debris types and sizes during our tests, and often passes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently runs out of battery power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is fitted 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 larger dustbin and charges quicker.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a more powerful motor, and works better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a wider array of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior customizations docking frequency settings, and more. The app is easy to learn and use similar to 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 was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other models we tested and could be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
robot vacuum cleaners allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its 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 feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than the competition to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's cleaning up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also has a smart app that lets you view the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging at the touch of one button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot should you need to. My living room rug for example has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. And the ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.