The Advanced Guide To Robot Vac
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum hoover vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Select a vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has large bins that will need to be cleaned out every now and then.
You can also find models that can mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be important for people with children or pets. A lot of 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, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an automated vacuum cleaner, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they are very good in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we have test. It may get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clear so they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is empty it will return to its docking station, automatically emptying its dirt into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning the area where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use. It takes about three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is its auto-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for regular maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.
In our testing, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our second-placed model, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
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 begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room and vacuum the area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. Once connected we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like an automobile. 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 with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system is able to trap allergens and then lets cleaner air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It is able to swiftly change between handheld and automatic floor vacuum vacuum, and vice versa.
This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in about 3.5 hours and provides an easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is an average not an extraordinary run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is still enough to clean most of a home that's average size but not long enough to clean every spot (though an additional run-through often will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better 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 great option for those who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes during our tests and would often go over the same area many times to ensure an efficient clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models like our top rated robot vacuum selections and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its home base.
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 recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels more sturdy and has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're one of the most popular robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 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 priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for some buyers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self cleaning vacuum-emptying, which helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and maximizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are made for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They have an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also comes with an app that allows users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and create schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the click of a button. The app also allows you to customize the lights on top robot vacuum cleaner of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily tell the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.
The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually if needed. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. And the ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.