Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and also has large bins that will need to be emptying every so often.
You can also find models that can mop and charge on their own which can be beneficial for those with pets or kids. Many of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent alternative for those who want a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the dustbin of the robot after it has filled up.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could be stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it may come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is depleted it will return to its docking station, automatically empties its dirt into the station's dust bin and then resumes cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes around three hours to recharge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or through the app.
In our tests the i7+ performed more agile and faster than our runner-up 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, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot to start or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. auto vacuum cleaner made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to 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 settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world filled with vacuums with cords that feel like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or shelves where you can move it around like an enchanted device.
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 filter system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to suit the task. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum, and vice versa.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as the clip for a wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a standard, not exceptional, 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 clean every area (though a second run-through usually will suffice). That's not to say this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming efficiency is better on low-pile carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It could pick up most types of debris and sizes in our tests and would often go over the same area several times to give an efficient clean. The flat front of the unit allows it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice feature.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models such as our top selections such as the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. As a result, 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 base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of reasons, since it has a longer battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It is 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 well-known brand in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge 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, behavior customization docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to use and understand as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and this could be a deal breaker for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. They have a wider cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds twice as much debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. They also include two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view an interactive map, control functions, and set schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app also lets you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum by using different colors, so that 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 if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.