Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency you'll need to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only every few times.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with children or pets. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacles to avoid.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great alternative for those who want a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dust bin after it has filled up.
Both robots are proficient in removing dirt and dust particles on floors and carpets, and they can easily move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we test. It could be stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as carpet and hardwood.
iRobot recommends that you tidy up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clean so they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and automatically empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it started. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant use. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line and has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. the most crucial feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ can better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can direct your robot using the app or voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. When connected to these services, we were able communicate with the i7+ using voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households however, it can also fit in well next to the coffee table or the bookshelf, where you can move it around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes to suit the task that is being completed. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.
The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as an handheld. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited run time. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is an average not an extraordinary run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to vacuum the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second run generally works). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably 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 spend on an expensive robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area several times for a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice addition.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, including our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. This means that it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or low furniture, and it frequently will run out of battery before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects, as it has fewer components that require regular maintenance It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more durable and has a stronger motor, and is able to perform better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app offers a variety of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and could be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
budget robot vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and the dustbin can be washed for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the bin clean and optimizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge by pressing a button. The app also allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily tell what areas it's focusing on or where it's got stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.