Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has an enormous bin that needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves this is an option important for families with children or pets. The top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.
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. That makes the i3+ an excellent option for those who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots do well cleaning up surface debris from hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner 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 get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include putting away any clutter or toys it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the bin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is empty, it returns to its docking station and automatically emptying its dirt into the station's external dustbin and then resumes cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes around three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most important feature of all -- it has self-emptying bins that eliminate 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 works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot using voice or via the app.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major source 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, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ for example "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system is able to trap allergens and then releases fresh air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes to suit the task at hand. It is able to swiftly change between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its claims to run up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to reach every spot. (A second time generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have lots of money to spend on an expensive robot. It was able to remove all kinds of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area many times for an efficient clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get 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 mapping capabilities of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It can get stuck on phone cords or furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and many more. The app is easy to navigate and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our testing of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a problem for certain shoppers.
The app allows you to access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for hard flooring. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. In robotic hoovers , they have two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app allows you to alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app makes it possible to steer the robot manually when needed. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL, however continued to travel across the border without registering the edge. The ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.