Five Tools Everybody Is In The Robot Vac Industry Should Be Utilizing

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only periodically.

There are models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be essential for those who have children or pets. The top performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great alternative for those who want a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dustbin of the best inexpensive robot vacuum when it is full.

Both robots are good at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we tested. It could get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as carpet and hardwood.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any clutter or toys it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or its battery is low it will return to its docking station and automatically emptying its dirt into the station's dust bin and continues cleaning where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant use. It takes three hours to charge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top 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 comes with a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your best robot hoover with voice or via the app.

In our tests the i7+ was more agile and faster than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface kinds including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin that eliminates the main sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and to move around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. When connected, 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 to manage i7+ settings and evaluating performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households and can fit nicely on a coffee table or on shelves where you can wave it around like the magic tool.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets, and then pick up large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back.

This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and a wand clip. This is a significant improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its limited running time. As CR's tests show, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is an average and not a remarkable run time for a battery-powered cordless vac. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to get every single spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). That's not to say this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of the most well-known robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robotic. It could pick up the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area multiple times for an efficient clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it lacks the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often runs out of battery power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower recurring cost and has more advanced automation abilities and can better move its own. It also has a bigger 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 and has physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are also among the top rated robot vacuum producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior modification, docking frequency settings, and much more. It's easy to understand and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our testing of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it wasn't particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a problem for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on your children or pets while you are away. The filter and the dust bin can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than other models to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. They also have two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app also lets you to customize the lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's got stuck.

The application also allows you to manually steer the robot cleaning machine if needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border, without notifying the cliff. Also, the ability to create weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.