Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A best robot vacuum for the money vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose a robot vacuum with good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has large bins that only needs to be emptied periodically.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves this is an option essential for families with pets or children. The top rated robot vacuum performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
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. This makes the i3+ a good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of 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're excellent at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested. It can be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, and include getting rid of any toys or clutter it may encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filters free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half continuous use. It takes about three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or through the app.
In our testing, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also amazed 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 automatic cleaning robot sessions and to move around the room and sweep an area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car that is amidst a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households however, it can also fit nicely on the coffee table or the bookshelf, that you can spin around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system traps allergens, then lets cleaner air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments and a Wand clip. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult 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 not true. This is a typical battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to get every single spot (though an additional run-through often can be effective). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in an expensive robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times to give an extensive clean. Its flat front end helps it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice touch.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the ability to map that comes with more advanced models like our top choices, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It can 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 most respects because it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app provides plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well in avoiding taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature lets you check in on pets or kids when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the vacuum's battery status and return it to its dock to charge at the touch of one button. The app lets you customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot when needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border without registering the cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.