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, has the ability to clean stairs and corners, and that has a large bin that only needs to be emptying every so often.
You can also find models that mop and charge on their own which can be beneficial for those with pets or kids. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots are adept at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we test the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it may have trouble in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests that you clean the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might come across. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it started. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It is self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant 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, a system that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can direct your robot using the app or by voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy the dust bin is self-emptying that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines and to move around the room and sweep a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. When connected to these services, we were able give the i7+ 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
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car that is amidst a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households however, it can also fit nicely on the coffee table or a bookshelf where you can wave it around like a magic tool.
The V10 is powered by seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that produces power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It can quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum and vice versa.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments as well as an Wand clip. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its short running time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. This is enough time to sweep the typical home but not enough to reach every area. (A second run is usually sufficient). However, this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of the most well-known robot vacuums The 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our testing, and it frequently goes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694, as it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower cost of recurring costs and has more advanced automation capabilities and is better able to navigate itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.
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 is also more durable and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on floors that are bare and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In robotic hoovers in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). 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 some buyers.
The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature lets you to monitor your children or pets when you are away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path as well as a large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. They also include two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell if it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the vacuum's battery status and return it to its dock for charging at the push of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually if needed. My living room rug, for example, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.