Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers excellent navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are smart vacuum cleaner that can mop and charge themselves this is an option that is essential for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests have good 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 good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots excel at cleaning up surface debris from hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home, which help 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 socks or power cords, and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any clutter or toys it may come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is low, it returns to its docking station and automatically emptying its trash into the station's dust bin, and then continues cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for approximately an hour and a half continuous use. It takes around three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- 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 make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or via the app.
The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy the dust bin is self-emptying, which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and reduces recurring costs.
We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. Once connected we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is a sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households and can fit perfectly next to a coffee table or on a bookshelf where you can move it around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It quickly converts from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.
This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides an easy access to two attachments as well as a Wand clip. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons models, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are not true as CR's tests have shown. This is a typical and not a remarkable run time for a battery-powered cordless vac. That's still enough run time to clean most of a typical-sized home, but not quite long enough to get every single area (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums, the 694 is a basic model that's a great choice for people who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It was able to remove all kinds of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area many times to ensure an extensive clean. The flat front of the unit allows it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice touch.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models such as our top choices such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or low furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower recurring cost, has more advanced automation abilities and can better maneuver itself. It also has a larger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible via the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you check in on your pets or children while you are away. The filter and dustbin are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps keep the bin clean and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, as well as a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for longer. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which can tell if it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see a virtual map, control functions, and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging with the click of a button. The app also allows you to personalize the lights on top of the vacuum by using different colors so you can clearly see which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.
The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot if needed. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without registering the high point. And the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.