Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.
There are models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ an excellent option for those looking for 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 are very good at moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we evaluated the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could get stuck on things such as socks or power cords and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in the iRobot flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
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 integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.
In our testing, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning session and to move around the room cleaning robot and sweep an area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+, for example "Hey Alexa remote vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like an automobile. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases fresh air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large particles and fine dust. It has three different suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It can quickly change from handheld to floor vacuum and vice versa.
The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments and the wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to vacuum the typical home however, it's not enough time to reach every area. (A second run is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior on low-pile automatic vacuum cleaner floor vacuum (Xyhero explains) carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It was able to pick up all kinds of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area several times for an efficient clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get into corners and along the walls' edges and walls, which is a nice feature.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, including our top picks, the i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects because it has fewer components that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most reasons, since it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode manually and has physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of automation features.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to navigate 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 percent of it. However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, painless cleanup. 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 developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the area free of debris for the longest period of time. They also include two side sweepers for cleaning around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and connect it to its dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot when needed. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border, without notifying the high point. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.