Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency at which you'll need to manually vacuum. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to sweep corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only periodically.
There are models that clean and charge on their own which can be important for people with pets or children. Many of the best performers in our tests have great obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dust bin once it gets full.
Both robots do well picking up surface debris off hard floors and carpets, and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it may have trouble in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. You should also keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is empty it will return to its docking station, automatically empties its debris into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning the area where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with all the latest features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot using voice or via the app.
In our tests the i7+ was more agile and faster than our top choice and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface kinds, including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin, which removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.
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 to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as 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. After being connected, to voice commands to the i7+, like "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 an all-sports car in 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 many households, but it also fits in well next to a coffee table or on the bookshelf, that you can spin around like a magic tool.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration 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 different suction modes that can be adapted to suit the task. It is able to 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 offers easy access to two attachments as well as the clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. As CR' smart robot have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is an average and not a remarkable time to run the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to get every single spot (though a second run-through usually does the trick). This doesn't mean that this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is superior on carpets with a low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a standard 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's capable of sucking up most kinds of debris in our testing, and it frequently goes over the same areas multiple times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice addition.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models like our top picks and 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 original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, because it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own and has physical boundary strips, and is operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home It's no surprise that they're also one of the top robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and many more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86% of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a problem for some buyers.
robotic vacuum cleaners has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have an extra wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app lets you alter 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 steer the robot manually if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. Also, budget robot vacuum to set up weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.