Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of manual hoovering. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
You can also find models that can mop and charge on their own This feature could be beneficial for those with pets or children. The top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ an excellent option for those looking for an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots are adept at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors and they are very good in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we test, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any toys or clutter it may come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filters clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is empty, it returns to its docking station and automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin and then resumes cleaning where it began. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the latest technology. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- the most important feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application 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 tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.
In our testing, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin, which removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning sessions, move itself around the room and vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like an automobile. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households however, it can also fit nicely on the table for a coffee or a bookshelf where you can wave it around like a magic wand.
vacuum deals is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large particles and fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It is able to quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as the clip for a wand. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are not true as CR's tests have shown. This is a typical not an extraordinary time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to vacuum the average-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (A second time is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's a good option for those who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It could pick up most types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area many times for an efficient clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice touch.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models like our top selections, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 because it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower cost of recurring costs, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and is better able to move its own. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and can perform better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that you see on all sorts of home electronics It's no surprise that they're one of the top mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior customization docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and this could be a problem for certain 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 your children or pets when you are away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is picking up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view an interactive map, control functions, and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot should you need to. My living room rug for example, has a darkly-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. The HRV 425BL, however continued to travel across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.