This Is The Ultimate Guide To Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.

There are models that mop and charge themselves this is an option important for families with children or pets. Many of the best robot vacuum performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin as it gets full.

Both robots are adept in removing dirt and dust particles on carpets and hard floors and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we tested. It could be stuck on power cords or socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like carpet and hardwood.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes clearing out any clutter or toys it may come across. It's also recommended to keep the dust bin and filter clear so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it began. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

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 a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 automatic floor cleaners plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or via the app.

In our tests, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our Top rated Robot vacuum choice and 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 its self-emptying bin, which removes major maintenance sources and reduces the cost of 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 sweep a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but 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 continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.

This model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as a Wand. This is a significant 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 short running time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are not true as CR's tests show. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to clean the typical home, but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass generally 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 significantly better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's a great choice for people who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes during our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times to ensure an extensive clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice feature.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models such as our top choices, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or furniture 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 most respects, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistance. It is also more robust, has a larger motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name that is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.

In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested, which might be a deterrent for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying to keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. They come with a wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the area clean for the longest time. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and send it back to its dock to charge at the push of a button. The app also allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the best robot cleaner manually should you need to. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. And the ability to create the weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.