Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum with good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has large bins that needs to be emptying every so often.
There are models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. A lot of the top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a great option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it fills up.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they're excellent at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However unlike the i7+ and other top rated robots we tested the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or via voice.
The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines and to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting to these services, we were able 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 monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is an automobile. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy, which produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to match the task being performed. It can quickly change between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
This model also has a dock that charges to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a significant improvement over previous Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited run time. As CR's tests have shown, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a typical, not an exceptional, time to run the battery-powered cordless vacuum. It's enough time to clean the typical home however, it's not enough time to reach every spot. (A second run generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums The 694 is a basic model that's a good choice for people who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It was able to pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes during our testing and often went over the same area several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. As a result, it may get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, 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 maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most purposes, as it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter the suction power mode by hand and has physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a larger motor, and can perform better on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior customizations, docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to navigate and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it did not do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a problem 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 robot's cleaning zone. self vacuum lets you keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter are washable for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps to keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and a larger dustbin that holds 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area free of debris for the longest 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 whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to the dock for charging at the click of a button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app allows you to manually steer the robot when needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a great time-saving convenience.