Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves This is an advantage essential for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have good obstacles to avoid.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ an excellent option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it fills up.
Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart map of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ or other top robot vacuum cleaner rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may get stuck on things such as power cords or socks, and it may have trouble traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filters free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes around three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial 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 works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or through the app.
The i7+ is quicker and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that removes a major source of maintenance and reduces recurring costs.
We were also amazed 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, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using 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 offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces power that is not fading 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 carpet to suck up large particles and fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly switches from floor washing robot vac to handheld vacuum and back.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and the clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's enough time to clean the average-sized home however, it's not enough time to get into every corner. (A second time generally works). That's not to say this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on carpets 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 vacuum cleaner quiet. It was able to pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes in our tests, and frequently went over the same area several times to ensure an efficient clean. The flat front of the unit allows it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice addition.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer components that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode manually and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.
In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86 percent of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested and could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible via the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and filter can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps to keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than competitors to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and send it back to its dock to charge at the push of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.
The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however, continued to move across the border without registering the edge. And the ability to set up weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.