15 Reasons Not To Be Ignoring Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you have to manually remote vacuum cleaner. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and has a large bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves This is an advantage important for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a good option for those looking for a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.

Both robots do well picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested. It can get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like rug and hardwood.

iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes clearing out any toys or clutter it might encounter. It's also an excellent idea to keep the bin and filter clear so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is empty, it returns to its docking station, automatically empties its dirt into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning the area where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is the self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which allows it to identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot through the app or by voice.

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. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

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 begin, stop or pause its cleaning session and to move around the room and sweep the area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. We were able, once connected, to speak commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up automatic vacuum in most homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back again.

The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments and the wand clip. This is a major improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its short running time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical and not a remarkable time for a battery-powered cordless vac. That's still enough run time to clean most of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to get every single spot (though a second run-through usually will suffice). However, this model isn't a good choice: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on low-pile carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's a great choice for people who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our testing, and it often goes over the same areas multiple times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front side helps to get into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice feature.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our Top Rated Robot Vacuum picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 because it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower recurring cost, has more advanced automation capabilities and can better maneuver itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.

The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of reasons, since it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and has physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.

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 top mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app gives you plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and much 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 handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we tested which could be a deal-breaker for certain shoppers.

The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the self-cleaning robot vacuums's cleaning zone. This feature lets you to check in on your pets or children while you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. They also include two side sweepers that can be used to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell the presence of dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view a virtual map, control functions, and set schedules. Plus, you can monitor the vacuum's battery status and send it back to its dock for charging at the touch of the button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.

The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually if needed. My living room rug, for example has a dark-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.