Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of manual hoovering. Pick a robot vacuum with good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and has a large bin that needs to be cleaned out every now and then.
There are models that mop and charge themselves this is an option that is essential for families with pets or children. Many of the top performers in our tests have decent obstacle avoidance.
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+ a great option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.
Both robots are good in removing dirt and dust particles on floors and carpets, and they can easily navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we tested the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests cleaning the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the 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 low it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station's external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes about three hours to fully recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes 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 remember up to 10 floor 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 iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot via the app or via voice.
In our tests the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also impressed 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 session and to move around the room, and even vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to match the task that is being completed. It is able to swiftly switch between handheld and floor vacuum and vice versa.
This model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments as well as a Wand. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a standard battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is still enough to clean most of a home that's average size but not long enough to get every single spot (though an additional run-through often will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great 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 testing and often went over the same area several times to give an efficient clean. Its flat front end helps it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice feature.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. This means that it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower costs for recurring expenses, has more advanced automation abilities and is better able to maneuver its own. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and performs better on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it wasn't 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 deal breaker for certain shoppers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you are away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps keep the robot's bin clear and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area free of debris for the longest period of time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which can tell if it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see an interactive map, control functions, and set schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors so you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's gotten stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually, if necessary. My living room rug, for example has a dark-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border, without notifying the high point. The ability to create a weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.