Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and has a large bin that only needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those looking for a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dust bin after it has filled up.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we tested, the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features, so it may get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces like hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include putting away any toys or clutter it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the bin and filter clean so that they do not become blocked by dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes about three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most crucial feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the most important 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 tasks and control your robot using voice or through the app.
In our testing the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our top choice and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which removes major maintenance sources and reduces recurring cost.
We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that look like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households however, it can also fit nicely on the table for a coffee or a bookshelf where you can wave it around like an enchanted device.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It can quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum, and vice versa.
This model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments and the Wand. This is a significant improvement over the older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.
automated vacuum cleaner with the V10 is its sluggish run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its claims to run up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's enough time to clean the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass usually works). That's not to say this model isn't a good choice It's lighter and more agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on a robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area several times for an extensive clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it lacks the mapping capability of more advanced models like our top selections and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. This means that it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses and has more advanced automation abilities and is better able to maneuver its own. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and performs better on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand you see on all sorts of home electronics It's no surprise that they're also one of the most popular robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other models we've tested, which might be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. They have an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This lets them keep the area clean for longer. They also have two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum by using different colors so you can clearly see what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten 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 cause confusion for other robots I've tried. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. The ability to set up weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.