Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs and also has a large bin that only needs to be cleaned out every now and then.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. A lot of the top performers in our tests have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great 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 do well picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they are very good in getting 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. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we tested. It can get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.
iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around 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 getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it began. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ can 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 via the app.
In our tests the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also awestruck 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 routines, move itself around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting to these services, we were able give the i7+ voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like an automobile. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
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 traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large particles and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back.
This model has a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also gives an easy access to two attachments and an wand. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its short run time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is enough time to clean the average-sized home however, it's not enough time to reach every spot. (A second pass usually works). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's a good choice for people who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of 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 design allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It may get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run 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 components that require regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistance. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and performs better on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we tested and could be a problem for some shoppers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. robotic vacuum cleaner best feature an extra-wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually when needed. My living room rug for example has a dark-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.