The Most Convincing Proof That You Need Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Select a vacuum bot that is well-trained in navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and also has a large bin that only needs to be cleaned out every now and then.

There are also models that clean and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good obstacles to avoid.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. That makes the i3+ an excellent option for those who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin as it gets full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a best smart vacuum map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have test. It could get stuck on power cords or socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like rug and hardwood.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include clearing out any clutter or toys it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically empties the dirt into the station's external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it started. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. iRobot i7+ Roomba

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot, and it comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging, self cleaning vacuum cleaner-navigating and -- the most important 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 keep up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or through the app.

In our tests the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin, which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines and move around the room and vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting to these services, we were able communicate with the i7+ using voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households and can fit perfectly next to the coffee table or the bookshelf, that you can spin around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy, which produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to match the task at hand. It is able to quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum and vice versa.

This model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also offers easy access to 2 attachments and the handheld. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical and not a remarkable run time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. It's enough time to clean a typical-sized home, but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass 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 noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of the most well-known robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's a great choice for people who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of debris types and sizes during our testing, and it often passes over the same areas many times to ensure a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice addition.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower recurring cost and has more advanced automation capabilities and is able to better maneuver its own. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistance. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on floors with bare or low-pile.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're one of the most reputable robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic floor scrubber cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like 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 was not as successful in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some shoppers.

The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties to keep the robot vacuum cleaner's dustbin clean and maximizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also have two side sweepers for cleaning around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense which adjusts the power level according to whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging at the click of a button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot if needed. My living room rug for example has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.