Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency with which you'll need to manually vacuum. Find one that has good navigation, can sweep corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
You can also find models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ an excellent option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots do well cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors and they are very good in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It could be stuck on power cords or socks, and may have trouble navigating between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or other items it might come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clear so they aren't clogged by dirt. 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. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. Battery life is about an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- the most important feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot using voice or through the app.
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. Its main advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car that is amidst a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
auto vacuum cleaner is powered by a 7-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It has three different suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It can quickly change from floor vacuum to handheld 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 the Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's enough time to vacuum the average-sized home but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass usually works). This doesn't mean that this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is significantly superior on carpets with a low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times for a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more advanced models like our top picks, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning It also comes 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 larger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, as it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable and has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. auto vacuum cleaner has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to use and understand as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller items such as 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 smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access through the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets when you are away. 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 improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are made for hard floors and carpets, 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 other models to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is cleaning up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and then 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 to tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For example, 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 cliff. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.