Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you need to manually vacuum. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only every few times.
You can also find models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be important for people with pets or kids. Many of the top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ 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. This makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at removing surface dirt on floors and carpets and can maneuver 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 that we test the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may be stuck on things like socks or power cords, and it may have trouble in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, and include getting rid of any clutter or toys it may come across. It's also recommended to keep the bin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues 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 fully recharge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest 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+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.
In our testing the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+ such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an automobile. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and pick up large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It is able to quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum, and vice versa.
The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments as well as the wand clip. This is a major improvement over previous Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its short running time. As CR's tests show, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to clean most of an average-sized house, but not quite long enough to cover every area (though a second run-through usually will suffice). 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 carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a standard robot cleaner commercial vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It was able to remove most types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times to ensure an efficient clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models like our top selections such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower cost of recurring costs and has more advanced automation capabilities and can better move itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels better-built and has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand is found on all kinds of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the top robotic vacuum and mop makers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic hoovers cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior customizations docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is simple to use and understand, just like other Samsung devices.
In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we've tested which could be a deal-breaker 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 area of cleaning. This feature allows you to check in on pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic Floor cleaner clean station which helps to keep the bin clean and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for longer. They also have two side sweepers for cleaning along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level according to whether it's collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. You can also monitor the vacuum's battery status and send it back to its dock for charging at the push of a button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top robot vacuum of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot vacuum cleaner price should you need to. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to create a weekly cleaning schedule is a fantastic time-saving feature.