The Ultimate Guide To Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only every few times.

There are models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or kids. Many of the top performers in our tests also offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

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+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ an excellent option for those looking for a hands-off, fully automated vacuum cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it fills up.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we test the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to carpet.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, and include putting away any clutter or toys it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is empty, it returns to its docking station, automatically emptying its debris into the station's external dustbin and then resumes cleaning the area where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of constant use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot and has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial 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+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or via the app.

In our testing the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot vacuum cleaner review to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room and vacuum a specific space. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. When connected we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring 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 in the majority of households however, it can also fit in well next to a coffee table or on shelves where you can wave it around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then releases fresh air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets, and then pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to suit the task. It swiftly switches from handheld vacuum to best automatic floor cleaner vacuum and back.

The model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments and a wand. This is a major improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's main drawback is its short running time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is an average not an extraordinary time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is still enough to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house, but not quite long enough to cover every area (though a second run-through usually can be effective). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is significantly better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on the latest model of robot. It was able to pick up most types of debris and sizes in our tests, and frequently went over the same area several times to ensure an efficient clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top rated robot vacuum selections, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. This means that it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently runs out of battery power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways in that it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.

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 hoover vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic automatic floor cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a deal breaker 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 stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you check in on pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps to keep the bin clean and improves suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for hard flooring. They come with a wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the click of a button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on the 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 app allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.