Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of manual hoovering. Select a vacuum with good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a large bin that only needs to be cleaned out every now and then.
You can also find models that mop and charge on their own which can be important for people with 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 good option for those looking for a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dust bin after it has filled up.
Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors and they're very adept at moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we test, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could be stuck on things like socks or power cords, and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or other clutter it might come across. It's also an excellent idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to fully charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot and comes with all the latest features. It has self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is the self-emptying bin. This removes the need for regular maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ can better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot through the app or by voice.
In our tests the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.
We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. Once connected, to speak commands to the i7+ like "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 full of cordless vacs that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households, but it also fits in well next to the table for a coffee or shelves where you can wave it around like an enchanted wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system captures allergens, and then releases fresh air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It swiftly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back again.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as an clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons models, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for a battery-powered cordless vac. This is enough time to sweep the typical home however, it's not enough time to get into every corner. (A second time usually works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of the most well-known robot vacuums The 694 is an affordable model that's a good option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robotic. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes during our testing and often went over the same area several times to ensure an efficient clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice feature.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the ability to map that comes with more sophisticated models such as our top choices, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, because it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and performs better on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum.
self cleaning vacuum can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or kids when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin can be cleaned for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are made for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They have a wider cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets you to view a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app also lets you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum with different colors, so that you can easily tell the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.
The app also makes it simple to manually steer the robot in the event of need. 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, continued to move across the border without ever registering the cliff. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.