Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose one that has an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
You can also find models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with pets or kids. Many of the top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.
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+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent alternative for those who want a an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we tested the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities which means it can be stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues traversing transitions across surfaces like from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning from where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial 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 remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, which allows it to identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and direct your robot by voice or via the app.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin that eliminates major 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 begin, stop or pause its cleaning session, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. Once connected to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands 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
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car that is amidst a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households, but it also fits perfectly next to a coffee table or on a bookshelf that you can spin around like an enchanted wand.
The V10 is powered with a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It can quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its sluggish run time. The claims of its marketing that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to clean most of an average-sized house however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). However, this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to spend on a robot. It could pick up most types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area several times for an extensive clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models like our top choices and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often runs out of battery power before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer components that need regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. 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, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than the other models we tried, which might be a problem for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. 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 washed for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are made for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also has a smart app that lets you view the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging at the touch of a single button. self vacuum allows you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.
The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to make it difficult 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 convenience.