Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners, and has a large dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves This feature could be essential for those who have children or pets. The top performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a great option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors, and they can easily move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart map of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we tested the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could get stuck on things such as power cords or socks, and it may have trouble traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any clutter or toys it may come across. You should also keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically empties the dirt into the station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes around three hours to fully recharge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot and comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. the most important feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can direct your robot using the app or via voice.
The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+, for example "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
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a sea of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households and can fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or a bookshelf where you can move it around like an enchanted tool.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases fresh air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to match the task that is being completed. It can quickly change from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments as well as an wand. This is a huge improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its limited run 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. It's still enough time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to get every single area (though the second time around usually can be effective). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on low-pile floor carpet.
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 all kinds of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times for an efficient clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models like our top picks, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. This means that it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently is power-depleted before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 because it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, has more advanced automation abilities and is better able to maneuver itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges quicker.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, because it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built, has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of home electronics It's no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
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 easy to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it didn't do particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we've tested and could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access via the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you're away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the 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 model comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For automatic vacuum , my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without registering the edge. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.