Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, can clean corners and stairs and also has a large bin that only needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that clean and charge themselves This feature could be beneficial for those with pets or kids. Many of the best performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.
Both robots do well cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors, and they are very good at getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we test the i3+ does not have a feature for avoiding obstacles, so it may be stuck on things like socks or power cords and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any clutter or toys it may encounter. It's also an excellent idea to keep the bin and filter clean so they do not become blocked 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 automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half continuous use, and takes about three hours to fully recharge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.
In our testing, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin, which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines and move around the room and vacuum the area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. When connected, we were able to give the i7+ voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an automobile. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households, but it also fits nicely on the coffee table or the bookshelf, where you can move it around like the magic device.
The V10 is powered by seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task at hand. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.
auto vacuum cleaner comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments and the wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. The claims of its marketing that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical and not a remarkable time for a battery-powered cordless vac. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to cover every area (though the second time around usually can be effective). However, this model doesn't have its benefits 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 standard robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our testing, and it frequently goes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice touch.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower recurring cost, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and is better able to navigate itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and performs better on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and many more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we've tested, which might be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets while you're away. The filter and the dust bin are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for hard flooring. auto vacuum cleaner 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 free of debris for the longest period of time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense which adjusts the power level based on whether it is cleaning up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge at the touch of the button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot should you need to. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can make it difficult for other robots I've tested. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a fantastic time-saving feature.