Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Robot vacuum deals (Inec noted)
This is your time to own a robot vacuum. CNET's best-rated models will be on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday with discounts as high as 57%..
The Roborock Q7 Max offers strong pressure and smart mapping, with apps-based no-go zones, and its 180-minute runtime is awe-inspiring. It also automatically replenishes and self-empties its water tank.
1. Roomba j7+ iRobot from iRobot.
The Roomba J7+ is iRobot's most advanced robot vacuum to date. Its most significant innovation is a camera-based obstacle detection system that utilizes built-in AI to recognize objects like charging cords, shoes and the dreaded pet waste most other robots can't avoid (and often go through). It's the first robot to provide you with pictures of the objects that it encounters, so that you can tell that it is safe to avoid it.
The Combo j7+ is also the most effective mop-bot we've ever tested, removing dirt and spills with ease without leaving any trace that was there. The iRobot app makes it easy to control. You can schedule cleanings and even create Keep Out Zones so that it doesn't vacuum in areas you don't want. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control it from start to stop with your voice.
Its design is a step above the competition, with a sleek top piece that looks more like a toy than a loud, obnoxious one. Clean Base Automatic Dirt disposal System is also self-emptying which will reduce your cleaning time.
In our tests, we found that the j7+ quickly removed dust, dirt, and pet hair. The counter-rotating rubber brushes kept the debris in place rather than scattering it around the floor. It was able capture small gravel, sand and even a little grit. Most robots could not do this. And it did all this without getting tangled up in our pet's shedding hair.
While it's not quite as efficient as the Roomba s9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum, and it's not able to clean stairs The J7+ is an excellent choice for those who require both mopping and a vac in their home. It's not expensive and the iRobot App makes it easy to use.
While the iRobot Home app is very user-friendly however, we've found it to be less reliable than other apps that use robotic cleaners. It can take some time to download updates, and sometimes it's difficult to know whether the update is working until you see it in the action.
2. Roborock Q5+
If you're looking to purchase an automated vacuum cleaner that can do more than just clean floors, the best robovac option is probably a hybrid. These machines are equipped with a water tank so they can mop and vacuum at the same time. They also come with many additional features like smart mapping, small object avoidance, and the possibility of washing and re-drying mopping pads. They're costly at retail, but they often are reduced on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Roborock is one of our top robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums and the Q5+ isn't an exception. It's their most affordable auto-empty model, and although it lacks some of the features found on higher-end models (like no-go zones and multi-story memory) it's a great option if you're willing to compromise a bit in order to save some hundred dollars.
The Q5+ is noticeable gentle around obstacles like tables and walls which makes it an excellent choice for homes with lots of furniture. It's also extremely thorough in cleaning up dust bunnies. This is a place where many robot vacuums that are less expensive aren't able to meet. The Q5+'s navigation system is superb, with only a few mishaps on walls and corners.
The Q5+, just like other Roborock products, can be controlled by just a few buttons on the device or through the Roborock App. Through the app, you can begin and stop cleanings or schedules, establish virtual barriers and no-go zones, and alter your home map or re-label rooms.
If you decide to go with the Q5+, it comes with a new auto-empty dock specifically designed to make this robot simple to maintain. Installing it requires a screwdriver, but once it's installed, emptying the bin is done with relative ease. It also features a large LCD display, which is nice to have when creating schedules or changing settings. This feature isn't required for most people but it can help easily keep track of the robot's maintenance schedules.
3. Narwal Freo X Ultra
The Freo X Ultra is a well-rounded robot vacuum and mop that's impressively intelligent in its mopping and vacuuming capabilities. Its design and functionality are among the top available however it's expensive.
The base station is attractive and hides it when not in use, and the dimensions are quite small. But the station's biggest selling factor is its ability to automate many tasks and functions that other robots leave up to you. It can store dirty and clean water and electrolyze and heat the water. Many other robots require you to do this.
And its vacuuming is impressive and efficient, too. It's the only robovacs that I've tested that does a really good job of picking up debris on bare floors, and it's not nearly as loud as the more expensive Roomba 980 or iRobot the 900 series.
But the Freo X Ultra has its flaws, particularly when it comes to navigation. Its laser and LiDAR sensors aren't as reliable as some other robovacs, meaning it is sometimes stuck or confused in certain areas of the house. It's not able climb stairs as well as competitors, either, and it doesn't have a dock that lets the user to set up an exclusive cleaning zone for plush carpets.
The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for those looking for an automated vacuum that can do it all.
If you're looking to save money or aren't averse to the limitations of the robot, there are plenty of alternatives available. Many of the eufy models cost considerably less. The Eufy Qrevo Curv, for instance is less expensive and provides the same experience in the app, but with more features like stair climbing, a full-function dock, and superior overall performance when vacuuming floors as well as high- and low-pile carpets.
4. Eufy RoboVac g30
Eufy is an Anker company with an established track record of making robot vacuums with the right balance of features, performance, and price. The G30 Hybrid is no different it offers a high-quality cleaning of hard floors as well as mopping, carpets and other surfaces at a reasonable price. It's easy to setup simply by snapping one of the side brushes on, switch it on, and plug it into the charging dock. The app walks you through a few steps to connect it to Wi-Fi and then the G30 is ready to go. The dock should be located close to an outlet that has enough space to move.
The G30 is small, 2.85 inches tall to be precise, which means it will fit under many couches and other low-clearance furniture. Its design is less ostentatious than some rival models, sporting a sleek black finish and three buttons that are physical: Auto Cleaning start/pause, Recharge and Spot Cleaning (which cleans the area in spiral patterns for 2 minutes). You can also connect the G30 to Amazon Alexa or Google Home to use voice commands to do unscheduled cleaning.
The primary characteristic that sets the G30 above the rest is the way it cleans. It uses an integrated map to create an image of the immovable items in its path. It can remember the things it has cleaned and where it cannot access. When it needs to recharge, it returns to its base and resumes cleaning where it left off.
The elegant G30 isn't without its faults however. The iRobot Roomba 675 is much better constructed, has lower recurring expenses, charges faster and offers similar battery life, while providing better performance on bare floors and carpets with a low pile. It also has a bigger dust bin that doesn't have to be emptied as often and comes with the boundaries to keep it away from certain areas. The G30 is, however is less expensive and much more manageable to maintain. Its smaller canister means it doesn't need to be emptied as often, and it has less trouble with bulky materials like cereal.