Is Tech Making Robot Vac Better Or Worse

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

There are also models that clean and charge on their own, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. Many of the best robot hoover performers in our tests have excellent obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. That makes the i3+ a great option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it fills up.

Both robots are good at picking up surface dirt on hard floors and carpets and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and may have issues in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to rug.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it might encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so that they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is low it goes back to its docking station, automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning the area where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant use. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line, and it comes with the most recent features. It has self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or through the app.

In our testing, 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 kinds, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines, move itself around the room and vacuum a specific space. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, for example "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

In a world full of cordless vacs that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.

This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as the Wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a standard, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to vacuum the average-sized home however, it's not enough time to reach every spot. (A second time is usually sufficient). This doesn't mean that this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is noticeably better on low-pile carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard Robot broom vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our tests, and it frequently goes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models such as our top selections and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often runs out of battery power before making it back to its original location.

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

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and much more. It's simple to comprehend and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding taller objects like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we've tested and could be a deal-breaker for some buyers.

The smart vacuum cleaner vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot sweeper's cleaning station. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than competitors to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which detects whether it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and set schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the lights on top of the vacuum with different colors so you can easily identify the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the robot manually should you need to. My living room rug, for example is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.