Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of manual hoovering. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners, and that has large bins that needs to be cleaned out every now and then.
You can also find models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be beneficial for those with pets or kids. The top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin when it is full.
Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on hard floors and carpets, and they can easily move 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 we test the i3+ does not have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, and include getting rid of any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically empties the dirt into the station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning 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. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest technology. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.
The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin, which eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. When connected, we were able to give the i7+ voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is a sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to suit the task. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back.
This model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments and the Wand. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is an average and not a remarkable time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to reach every area. (A second run 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 noticeable superior on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It's capable of sucking up most types of debris and sizes during our tests, and often passes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows it reach into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice touch.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top picks, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It can get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and is often unable to supply power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects in that it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and is more effective on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're also one of the top robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior customization docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to use and understand as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a problem for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets when you are away. The dustbin and filter can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's cleaning up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map and 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 push of a button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for instance is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border without registering the cliff. And the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.