robot vacuum cleaners can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Select a vacuum with good navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners and also has a large bin that will need to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that can mop and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with children or pets. A lot of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a great option for those looking for a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dust bin once it gets full.
Both robots are proficient at removing surface dirt on floors and carpets and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested. It could get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like rug and hardwood.
iRobot suggests cleaning the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filters clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+'s internal bin is full or its battery is empty, it returns to its docking station and automatically emptying its debris into the station's dust bin and continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
2. Roomba from iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line and is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot using voice or via the app.
The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin that eliminates a major source of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and easy with the iRobot Home app. We were able, once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+, like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households however, it can also fit perfectly next to the coffee table or shelves where you can wave it around like a magic tool.
The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to collect large particles and fine dust. It has three suction modes to meet the task at hand. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.
This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and provides an easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its short running time. Its marketing claims that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is still enough to get rid of the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to clean every spot (though the second time around usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of iRobot's most popular 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's capable of sucking up a variety of kinds of debris in our testing, and it often passes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice addition.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models like our top choices and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. As a result, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects because it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that is found on all kinds of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the most reputable mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app gives you plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and this could be a deal breaker for certain shoppers.
The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They come with a wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level based on whether it is picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that lets users to see a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum by using different colors so you can easily tell what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.
The application also allows you to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to cause confusion for other robots I've tried. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, but it didn't register it as a cliff. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.