Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and also has a large bin that needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be beneficial for those with pets or kids. The top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar 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 choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.
Both robots are proficient in removing dirt and dust particles on carpets and hard floors and are able to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home that assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we tested the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may get stuck on things like socks or power cords and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to rug.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including getting rid of any toys or clutter it may come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filter clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is depleted it will return to its docking station and automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to charge.
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 important feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can direct your robot using the app or by voice.
The i7+ is faster and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.
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 routines and to move around the room, and even vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting, we were able to 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 the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car that is amidst a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most 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 which produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system is able to trap allergens and then lets cleaner air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back again.
The model also comes with docks that charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments as well as an clip for a wand. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its short running time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is an average and not a remarkable run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is still enough to clean most of a typical-sized home but not long enough to clean every spot (though the second time around usually can be effective). That's not to say this model isn't a good choice: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly superior on carpets with a low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums the 694 is a basic model that's a good option for those who don't want to invest too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of types of debris and sizes during our testing, and it often goes over the same areas many times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top picks such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and frequently runs out of battery power before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and works better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and more. The app is simple to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It did not do well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we've tested and could be a problem for certain shoppers.
The app lets you 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 monitor your children or pets while you're away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses whether it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. Plus, auto vacuum can monitor the battery's status and send it back to its dock to charge at the touch of the button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.
The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot should you need to. 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 weekly cleaning schedule is a fantastic time-saving feature.