Why We Enjoy Robot Vac (And You Should Too!)

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot auto vacuum cleaner will keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum with good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has an enormous bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

You can also find models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be beneficial for those with pets or kids. The top performers in our tests also have good obstacle avoidance.

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+ an excellent choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their Robot vacuum Hoover's trash bin when it is full.

Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on hard floors and carpets and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots that we tested the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, and include clearing out any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is depleted it goes back to its docking station, automatically emptying its dirt into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it 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 through the app.

In our tests the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy the dust bin is self-emptying, which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.

We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After connecting, we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands 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

In a world full of vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is a sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households, but it also fits in well next to the table for a coffee or a bookshelf where you can move it around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that is not faded for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to meet the task that is being completed. It is able to quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum, and vice versa.

The model also comes with docks that charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments as well as a clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its short 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 an average, not an exceptional, run time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. This is still enough to get rid of the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of the most well-known buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums the 694 is a basic model that's an excellent choice for people who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It could pick up all kinds of debris and sizes during our tests and would often go over the same area many times for a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice touch.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top choices, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. It may get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run out of power before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects because it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.

The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most reasons, since it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode manually, comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable and has a more powerful motor, and works better on floors that are bare and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of home electronics, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the most reputable mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options to customize your robotic vacuum cleaner cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with 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 didn't do particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tried, which might be a problem for certain shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access via the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for an easy, quick clean-up. 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

Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They have an extra wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This lets them keep the area clean for longer. They also come with two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which can tell the presence of dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view an interactive map, control functions, and create schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and send it back to its dock to charge at the push of the button. The app also lets you to customize the lights on top of the vacuum using different colors so you can clearly see the areas where it's focused or where it's gotten stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the best robot floor cleaner manually if needed. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the high point. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.