Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum with good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and has large bins that will need to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that can mop and charge on their own This feature could be beneficial for those with pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is a good option for those looking for a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ doesn't feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test. It can be stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.
iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any toys or clutter it might encounter. You should also keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+'s internal bin is filled or the battery is empty it goes back to its docking station and automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes around three hours to fully recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest technology. 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 better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or via the app.
In our testing the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also impressed 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, move itself around the room and vacuum a specific space. 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 vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world filled with vacuums with cords that feel like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task being performed. It quickly switches from handheld to floor vacuum and back again.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as an Wand clip. This is a major improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its short running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. This is enough time to vacuum a typical-sized home, but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to spend on the latest model of robot. It was able to pick up the majority of types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times for a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and the 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 advanced models like our top choices and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It can get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, has more advanced automation abilities and is able to better navigate itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, because it has a longer battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as providing a greater variety of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most popular mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. 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. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings, and more. It's simple to comprehend and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our testing our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested and this could be a problem for some shoppers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature lets you check in on your children or pets while you are away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike 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, as well as dust bins that are 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also have two side sweepers that can be used to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets users to see an interactive map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app also allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. However, robot vacuum deals continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.