7 Things About Robot Vac You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency at which you'll need to manually vacuum. Find one that has good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with pets or children. Many of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors, and they're very adept in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we evaluated the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features, so it may get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.

iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, including getting rid of any toys or clutter it may come across. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they do not become blocked by dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest features. It's self vacuum near me-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that allows it to identify rooms to 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.

In our tests, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers the amount of time spent cleaning.

We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting we were able to give the i7+ voice commands such as "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 of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or shelves where you can wave it around like the magic wand.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task at hand. It can quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.

This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides an easy access to two attachments and an Wand clip. This is a big improvement over older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. Its marketing claims that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a common battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's enough time to sweep a typical-sized home however, it's not enough time to reach every area. (A second time usually works). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums the 694 is an affordable model that's an excellent option for those who don't wish to spend too much money on a best Buy robot vacuum. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas many times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front end helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice addition.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models like our top picks and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It may get stuck on phone cords or furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and can better maneuver itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges quicker.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, because it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and has physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It is also more durable and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're one of the top robotic vacuum and mop makers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and many more. It's easy to comprehend and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we tested, which might be a deterrent for some shoppers.

The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets while you are away. The filter and the dust bin can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker robot vacuum cleaner Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area free of debris for the longest period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is cleaning up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and return it to its dock to charge at the touch of the button. The app also allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily tell what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the best robot vacuum manually if needed. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tried. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.