15 Reasons Not To Ignore Robot Vac

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 with good navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners and also has an enormous bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. Many of the top performers in our tests have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a good option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it is full.

Both robots excel at picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have test. It can be stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.

iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include putting away any toys or clutter it may come across. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so 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 automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it began. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes around three hours to recharge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the latest technology. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most important feature of all -- it comes with best self cleaning robot vacuum-emptying bins that eliminate one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot cleaner vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot with voice or via the app.

In our tests the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our top choice, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin that eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.

We were also awestruck 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, move itself around the room, and even vacuum an area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a sea of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.

The V10 is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that produces power without fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It has three suction modes to meet the task at hand. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.

This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments as well as an handheld. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main drawback of the V10 is its short running time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical not an extraordinary time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. This is enough time to sweep the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to invest too much on a Robotic Floor Vacuums. It could pick up the majority of types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and often runs out of power before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi affordable robot vacuum is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower costs for recurring expenses, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better able to navigate itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels better-built and has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of automation options.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic vacuum cleaners cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations, docking frequency settings and many more. It's easy to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we've tested, which might be a problem for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot hoover's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your children or pets while you're away. The dustbin and filter are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps keep the bin clean and improves suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for hard flooring. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path, as well as dust bins that are 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to clean the area for longer. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and set schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and then send it to its dock for charging at the click of a button. The app also lets you to customize the lights on top of the vacuum with different colors, so you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's gotten stuck.

The app allows you to manually steer the robot, if necessary. My living room rug for example, has a darkly-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border, without notifying the high point. And the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a wonderful time-saving benefit.